''Strongmen'' coast to victory in UP polls

Lucknow, May 12 (UNI) Many ''strongmen'' have gained entry in the 15th Uttar Pradesh Assembly following victory from their respective constituencies in the polls.

Among them are Mukhtar Ansari, the main accused in the murder of BJP MLA Krishnand Rai and Former Minister Amarmani Tripathi, accused in the killing of poetess Mudhumita Shukla murder case, who won from Laxmipur in Maharajganj district.

The winning brigade included JD(U) candidates Dhananjay Singh from Rari (Jaunpur district), Akhilesh Singh from Rai Bareli, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Raghuraj Pratap Singh alias Raja Bhaiyya from Kunda (Pratapgarh district) and Badshah Singh from Modha (Mahoba district).

Western UP ''strongman'' D P Yadav, father of main accused in the Nitish Katara murder case--Vikas Yadav, won from Sehaswan (Badaun district), while his wife Umlesh was elected from Bisauli.

Independent MLA from Mau Mukhtar Ansari retained his seat, while his elder brother Sibaktullah Ansari defeated Ms Alka Rai from Mohammadabad area. Alka is wife of slain BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai.

Ironically, Mukhtar Ansari, Amarmani Tripathi and Akhilesh Singh have won in the elections while they were lodged in jail.

RLD candidates Madan Bhaiyya (Khekda), Satyendra (Barvana), Qadir Rana (Maurna) and Independent candidates Ram Prakash Yadav (Jasrana) and Ashok Yadav (Shikohabad) are among the other winning candidates.

BSP candidates Shahnavaz Rana (Bijnor), Anand Sen (Milkipur), Chaudhary Dhuram Lodhi (Rath) and SP candidate Radheyshyam Jaiswal (Sitapur) are also in the same league.

Congress candidates Ajay Pratap Singh alias Lalla Bhaiyya and Pradeep Kumar won from Dalmau and Mathura respectively.

UNI