Mukhtar Ansari is dead but his shadow looms over campaign trail in Ghazipur

Don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari passed away in March this year

The election campaign in Ghazipur is heating up as Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Afzal Ansari takes to the streets, delivering speeches that resonate deeply with the local populace. Known for his straightforward and poignant addresses, Ansari's talks focus on the day-to-day struggles of the people, often concluding with a powerful emotional appeal.

“Have you heard the name of my younger brother Mukhtar Ansari?” he asks, prompting affirmative nods from his audience. He then accuses the authorities of poisoning Mukhtar to break apart their family, leaving a significant pause for his words to sink in.

Rasool Bhai, a local tea shop owner, supports Afzal's claim, describing Mukhtar’s death as “unnatural.” He recounts that Mukhtar had informed a court about being poisoned in jail just ten days before his death, questioning why he wasn’t moved to a better hospital.

This narrative of alleged foul play has become a key issue in Ghazipur. Many rally attendees express skepticism about the official account of Mukhtar’s death, seeing it as politically motivated. The Ansari camp is banking on a sympathy wave, hoping it will outweigh Mukhtar’s controversial reputation among voters.

“You simply can't overlook Mukhtar in Eastern UP. His prominence reverberates widely, and his demise has only galvanized Muslim communities further. Anticipate a robust voter turnout in Ghazipur, along with adjoining areas of Ghosi and Mau, as Muslims view this election as a referendum to unequivocally express their sentiments regarding Mukhtar's passing,” remarked Ramesh K Singh, a seasoned journalist based in Varanasi.

However, the election in Ghazipur is more than just a referendum on Mukhtar’s death. The Ansari family's political clout faces a significant challenge from the BJP, which has fielded Parasnath Rai. Rai, known more for his ties to the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) than for street-level politics, is considered a trusted aide of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, a prominent BJP figure and former Ghazipur MP.

Manoj Sinha's influence in the region remains strong, with many acknowledging his contributions to local development. Despite this, the BJP's strategy focuses heavily on law and order, crediting Yogi Adityanath’s government with ending the "mafia raj" that once plagued the city.

“Ghazipur is no longer the same city it used to be before 2017,” says Ranjeet Singh, a local resident. “After Yogi Adityanath came to power, the ‘mafia raj’ has ended.” Singh dismisses Mukhtar Ansari’s influence, suggesting it is limited to the Muslim community.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is also vying for votes, with candidate Umesh Singh, a former BHU student union leader, in the fray. However, the primary battle is perceived to be between the SP and the BJP.

The BJP is also relying on its alliance with the OBC Rajbhar community through the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP). SBSP leader Om Prakash Rajbhar, now a cabinet minister in the Yogi government, has considerable influence in Ghazipur and Ghosi, another constituency with a significant Rajbhar population.

The election dynamics are further complicated by the "MY" (Muslim-Yadav) factor, historically beneficial for the SP. The alliance with Congress is expected to consolidate the minority vote bank, crucial in a constituency where Muslims and Yadavs comprise about 15% of the electorate.

Agnipath, the Modi government's recruitment scheme for the armed forces, is another contentious issue. Ghazipur has a tradition of high enlistment in the army, but locals like Rajesh Kumar report a sharp decline in applicants due to the scheme, from over 500-600 to just 40-50.

As the campaign intensifies, discussions among the youth in market areas reflect a split in support between Afzal Ansari and Parasnath Rai. Development work credited to Manoj Sinha remains uncontested, but the overarching sentiment in Ghazipur is that Mukhtar Ansari’s legacy continues to influence voter sentiment more than any other factor.

“Hindu-Muslim discourse is not a factor here, but Mukhtar is,” says local resident Shailash Yadav, encapsulating the complex interplay of personal legacy and political strategy in this critical election.