Gen-Next to carry forward legacy of dons
“Son rise” in political families is an accepted trend, but Uttar Pradesh is seeing the rise of a new generation from mafia don families in the Assembly polls.
These young sons (and daughters) of the mafia dons-turned-politicians may not be active in the underworld themselves, but are definitely cashing in on their fathers’ clout and popularity.
Leading this brigade this time is Abbas Bin Mukhtar Ansari, the son of jailed MLA Mukhtar Ansari.
A young management graduate, Mr Abbas is contesting the Ghosi seat on a BSP ticket. A sportsman, he is a three-time national champion in shooting and has represented the country in international events.
His uncle, Azfal Ansari, is supervising his campaign and he has a dedicated team of youth workers to help him in his maiden campaign.
Prateek Bhushan Singh is the son of BJP MP and mafia don Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. He is contesting Gonda Sadar seat. Mr Prateek is into body building and wanted to become a wrestler, but he joined politics instead. He has been managing his father’s campaigns and is not a novice to politics.
Mr Prateek is pitted against another mafia son, SP candidate Suraj Singh, son of UP minister Vinod Singh Pandit known for his criminal antecedents. Gonda Sadar voted Monday.
Aman Mani Tripathi, son of a controversial father, Amar Mani Tripathi, is contesting Nautanwa seat in Maharajganj as an Independent candidate.
Aman Mani is presently in jail on charges of murdering his wife, Sara Singh. His father Amar Mani and mother Madhu Mani are already serving a life sentence in Gorakhpur jail after being convicted killing a poetess.
His sisters, Tanushri and Alankrita, are campaigning for their jailed brothers, and his uncle Ajit Mani Tripathi and grand uncle Shyam Narain Tiwari are also helping in the campaign. Polling on this seat is on March 4.
Dinesh Kant Yadav, son of former MP Umakant Yadav, is RLD candidate from Shahganj in Jaunpur, where polling is on March 8. His father hit the headlines when BSP president and then chief minister Mayawati got him arrested in 2007 in a land-grabbing case.
Mr Dinesh’s cousin Arun Yadav, son of Ramakant Yadav, is BJP candidate from Phulpur, where polling has already been held. Both Umakant Yadav and Ramakant Yadav have a long criminal history behind them.
Shashank Shekhar Sunny, son of slain mafia don-turned-politician Ajit Singh, is BSP candidate from Bhagwantnagar seat in Unnao district.
A management graduate, Mr Shashank wants to carry forward his father’s legacy. Polling in Unnao took place on February 19.
The lone daughter in this category is Aditi Singh, daughter of Akhilesh Singh, a five-term MLA from Rae Bareli who opted out of politics on health grounds.
She did masters in management from the US, and returned to contest the polls. Ms Aditi is Congress candidate on her father’s seat from Rae Bareli. Polling on this seat took place on February 23.