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Mukhtar Ansari, a name synonymous with the murky nexus of crime and politics, breathed his last at the age of 60 after a prolonged legal battle and a life marred by controversy. Born on June 3, 1963, in Mohammadabad, Ghazipur district, Ansari’s journey from a college student to a mafia don and eventually a five-time MLA is emblematic of the intricate power dynamics in Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the Purvanchal region.
Hailing from a politically influential family, Ansari was the youngest among three brothers. His lineage boasted associations with prominent figures such as his grandfather Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, a close confidant of Mahatma Gandhi, and his maternal grandfather Brigadier Usman, a distinguished military hero. Despite this illustrious lineage, Ansari’s path veered towards notoriety rather than nobility.
During the tumultuous 1990s, as crime syndicates proliferated in Purvanchal, Ansari leveraged his local connections to establish dominance in criminal activities. His alliance with powerful figures like Makhnu Singh catapulted him into the spotlight, marked by a series of violent incidents and alleged gang wars that cemented his reputation as the “Bahubali of Purvanchal.”
Fuelled by his growing influence, Ansari transitioned seamlessly into electoral politics, winning the Mau Assembly seat in 1996 and subsequently consolidating his hold over the region. His electoral victories, coupled with his familial ties to influential leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati, further bolstered his stature, earning him the moniker of the “Messiah of the Poor.”
However, Ansari’s political ascent was marred by a litany of criminal charges, with over 60 cases pending against him, including allegations of murder and extortion. Despite his attempts to navigate the corridors of power, successive legal setbacks, including a recent life sentence in a decades-old murder case, spelled the beginning of his downfall.
The advent of the Yogi Adityanath government in 2017 heralded a crackdown on mafia elements like Ansari, leading to intensified scrutiny and confiscation of his amassed wealth, valued at over Rs 500 crore. His incarceration and subsequent convictions underscored the government’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks entrenched in Uttar Pradesh’s political fabric.
The demise of Mukhtar Ansari marks the end of a controversial chapter in Uttar Pradesh’s political history, punctuated by violence, intrigue, and the enduring nexus between crime and politics. As his legacy fades into obscurity, his tale serves as a cautionary reminder of the perils of unchecked power and the enduring struggle to uphold the rule of law in India’s heartland.
