Mayawati seeks vote for ‘Bahubali’ Mukhtar Ansari

MAU (UP): BSP chief Mayawati on Tuesday sought votes for jailed gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, arguing that his victory will erase his “bahubali (muscleman)” image.

“I urge you to vote in large numbers, thereby ensuring a comprehensive victory for Mukhtar Ansari... once Mukhtar wins the assembly polls, his ‘baahubali’ (muscleman) image will gradually diminish,” she said.

The BSP supremo sought support for Mukhtar in an election meeting in Mau in eastern UP which goes to polls on March 4 in the sixth phase.

Mukhtar, who faces 40 criminal cases, including those of murder and kidnapping, recently joined the BSP after the merger of his Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED) with the ruling Samajwadi Pary failed to take place due to strong objections from Chief Minister Akhile-UP sh Yadav.