7 opposition MPs in UP facing criminal charges, risk losing membership if convicted

File: SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (PTI)

At least seven newly-elected MPs in Uttar Pradesh are facing serious criminal charges that could result in jail terms exceeding two years, putting their parliamentary memberships at risk.

Among these MPs, six belong to the INDIA bloc, while one is Chandrashekhar Azad, founder of the Azad Samaj Party, who won the Nagina seat.

The cases against these MPs range from money laundering and intimidation to violations of the Gangster Act, all of which could lead to significant jail time.

Afzal Ansari, elected from Ghazipur, has already been convicted and sentenced to four years under the Gangster Act. His case stems from the killing of BJP MLA Krishna Nand Rai in 2005. Ansari was initially disqualified as an MP following a special court judgment on April 29, 2023. Although the Allahabad High Court granted him bail on July 24, 2023, it did not stay his conviction. His parliamentary membership was later restored after the Supreme Court stayed his conviction, allowing him to contest the Lok Sabha election.

Babu Singh Kushwaha, who ended a decade-long political exile by winning the Jaunpur seat, faces multiple charges related to the NRHM scam during the Mayawati regime. Charges have been framed in eight out of the 25 cases against him, including cheating, forgery, and illegal payments related to elections. Interestingly, a few years back he was inducted into BJP but was shown the door due to opposition from the party leaders over the corruption charges he was facing.

Dharmendra Yadav, cousin of Akhilesh Yadav, who won the Azamgarh seat, has four pending cases. If convicted for more than two years, Yadav risks losing his parliamentary membership.

Rambhual Nishad, who defeated BJP's Maneka Gandhi to win the Sultanpur seat, has eight cases against him, including one under the Gangster Act. His potential conviction could impact his Lok Sabha membership.

Virendra Singh, who defeated former minister Mahendra Nath Pandey in Chandauli, also faces multiple criminal charges, posing a significant threat to his membership.

Imran Masood of Congress, who won the Saharanpur seat, has eight cases against him, including one related to money laundering, with charges framed in two cases. In 2014 election, his tukde-tukde statement made headlines when he threated to kill Modi saying it is UP not Gujarat.

Chandrashekhar Azad, who won the reserved Nagina seat, faces over 30 cases. Any conviction exceeding two years could severely impact his political career.

Historically, many political leaders have lost their parliamentary memberships following convictions in criminal cases, including Azam Khan, his son Abdullah Azam, Khabbu Tiwari, Vikram Saini, Ram Dular Gond, Kuldeep Sengar, and Ashok Chandel. The current legal battles of these newly elected MPs could similarly lead to significant political repercussions.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, which has 80 parliamentary seats, the NDA won a total of 36 seats, with the BJP securing 33 seats alone. The INDIA bloc, consisting of the Samajwadi Party and Congress, won 43 seats.