MPs languishing in Uttar Pradesh’s jails suddenly seem to have become hot property. And rightly so, with each and every vote crucial on D-day, July 22.
Power from the prisons likely to decide what turn proceedings in parliament take on July 22
LUCKNOW: MPs languishing in Uttar Pradesh’s jails suddenly seem to have become hot property. And rightly so, with each and every vote crucial on D-day, July 22.
On Wednesday, BSP MP from Azamgarh, Akbar Ahmed ‘Dumpy’ met Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari who has been cooling his heels in Ghazipur jail with younger brother and SP MLA Mukhtar Ansari. Afzal is said to be negotiating a BSP ticket for the next election.
However, a BSP spokesman later denied the meeting had anything to do with the trust vote. “Akbar Ahmed ‘Dumpy’ was not sent by the BSP to meet Afzal Ansari. It was a personal meeting and should not be linked to the voting in parliament or to the BSP in any way,” the spokesman said in a written statement.
But Afzal is not the only one getting VIP visitors after a long time. Mulayam Singh’s nephew and Mainpuri MP Dharmendra Yadav visited Atiq Ahmed in Naini jail, Allahabad. The party, which had expelled Atiq for criminal activities, now seems to have realised his utility. BSP leaders are also promising Atiq a better life under Mayawati if he votes against the UPA.
Another MP with sudden VIP status is Umakant Yadav, BSP MP from Machhlishahr, expelled for criminal activities. In fact, Maya had personally handed him over to the police. But Tuesday, cabinet colleague Naseemuddin Siddiqui met Yadav at Fatehgarh jail. The BSP is understood to have promised to revoke his expulsion and withdraw cases against him if he voted against the UPA. But Siddiqui described his visit as “routine”, saying, “after all, he is our party MP...what is wrong in meeting him?”
g_deepak@dnaindia.net
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