Mukhtar Ansari

Mukhtar Ansari, a prominent figure in Uttar Pradesh's political landscape, was born on June 3, 1963, in Mohammadabad, Ghazipur district, as the youngest of three brothers to Subhanullah Ansari and Begum Rabia. He passed away due to cardiac arrest at Banda jail on 28th March 2024.

His lineage boasted illustrious members, including his grandfather, the early president of the Indian National Congress (INC), who went on to become one of the founders of Jamia Millia Islamia University, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, having close ties to Mahatma Gandhi and his maternal grandfather, Brigadier Usman, a Mahavir Chakra recipient.

Ansari's journey into politics intertwined with the rise of criminal activities in Purvanchal during the 90s. Initially, he gained influence in the region through alliances with powerful figures like Makhnu Singh. However, his ascent to notoriety came with allegations of involvement in criminal activities and several high-profile murders, notably that of Krishnanand Rai in 2005.

Despite legal challenges, Ansari's political career continued to flourish. He contested and won multiple elections from the Mau Assembly seat, becoming a five-time MLA in a row. His influence extended across Purvanchal, with Varanasi, Ghazipur, Ballia, Jaunpur, and Mau being notable areas of his sway.

Ansari's political affiliations shifted over time, aligning himself with prominent parties like Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). However, his criminal background often cast a shadow over his political endeavours, leading to his expulsion from BSP and subsequent legal battles.

The legal woes escalated after the formation of Yogi Adityanath's government, resulting in a crackdown on Ansari's alleged criminal activities. The Income Tax Department launched Operation Panther to seize his illicit assets, amounting to over Rs 500 crore. Ansari faced numerous cases, including the Awadhesh Rai murder case, for which he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2023.

Despite his legal battles, Ansari remained a prominent figure in Uttar Pradesh politics until his death. He passed away on 28th March 2024 in Banda jail. While the cause of death was officially declared as cardiac arrest, his family alleged foul play, claiming poisoning.