In the alleyways of Mohammadabad, there's a buzzing question – with Mukhtar Ansari's burial, will the political clout of the Ansari family dissolve into the earth as well? This is a concern because, for the past three decades, Mohammadabad has been an impenetrable stronghold for the Ansari family. The death of Mukhtar Ansari could signal the beginning of the end for this political dominance. Mukhtar Ansari was a name respected in the underbelly of crime and the corridors of power, his influence spanning from the '80s to 2017.
In most regions of Purvanchal, the Mafia Don Mukhtar Ansari's word was law. But the Yogi government demolished his criminal empire, and with his death, the political influence of the Ansari family seems on the verge of collapse. Under Yogi's regime, Mukhtar's conviction in pending cases began, and it was the dread of these punishments that saw the Don break behind bars, eventually succumbing to a heart attack.
With Mukhtar, not only his crimes concluded, but the empire he built came crashing down in the Yogi Adityanath-led government. Properties worth thousands of crores were confiscated. Bulldozers ran over possessions from Ghazipur, Mau to Lucknow. Large enemy properties were reclaimed. Most importantly, Mukhtar's key shooters and associates were either killed in gang wars or police encounters.
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The imprisoned Mukhtar Ansari watched as his empire crumbled and his people died one by one. From the shocking death of Munna Bajrangi in Baghpat Jail to the assassination of Mukim Kala in Chitrakoot Jail and Sanjeev Maheshwari alias Jeeva being shot dead in broad daylight in a Lucknow court, the onslaught was relentless. The whole family is caught in a web of criminal and financial lawsuits, with Mukhtar's son Abbas Ansari in jail, his wife on the run, and the entire lineage entangled in legal battles.
Afzal Ansari remains the pillar of the family. Now, the Ansari family must pivot their political maneuverings around him. Throughout the '90s and until 2017, the Ansari brothers held strong political influence in Ghaziabad, Mau, and Ballia. Sensing a change in the winds with Mukhtar's waning influence and lacking protective cover in the BSP, Afzal shifted allegiances to the Samajwadi Party some time ago.
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The saga of the Ansari family’s political dominion began in 1996 when Mukhtar Ansari became an MLA from the Mau seat for BSP. After a fallout with Mayawati in 2002, Mukhtar won as an independent and later supported Mulayam Singh Yadav’s government in 2003. Despite running unsuccessfully against BJP's Murli Manohar Joshi in the 2009 Varanasi Lok Sabha elections, Mukhtar solidified his position in his heartland, forming his own party 'Quami Ekta Dal'. With his party, Mukhtar won from Mau and positioned his brother Sibgatullah in Mohammadabad.
In 2016, Akhilesh Yadav started distancing from the Ansari clan, which led the family to join BSP in 2017. In a dramatic turn, Mukhtar won the Ghosi seat on a BSP ticket, and in 2019, Afzal Ansari won the Ghazipur seat as a BSP MP.
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Once detaining formidable sway in the corridors of power in Purvanchal, Mukhtar Ansari faced his first murder charge in 1986. Further criminal proceedings spread across states, adding to his notorious legacy. Eventually, Mukhtar transitioned from the underworld to politics, winning the Mau seat five consecutive times. Even jail bars couldn't dampen his electoral successes, making Mohammadabad a seat of prestige for the Ansari family.
But as Yogi’s regime intensified, Mukhtar Ansari and his family's ill-gotten gains became the target of stringent actions. For a man once revered for his Robin Hood persona, the last days were spent lamenting over the lack of jail amenities. The family that resonated with the poor and fought for social justice must now brace for the political ramifications of a legend's demise. While Afzal Ansari may yet garner sympathy votes in Gazipur for the 2024 elections, the family's fortitude without Mukhtar remains a narrative yet unfolding.
Afzal Ansari, once a BSP MP but now contesting elections under SP's banner without resignation, has spurred resentment among core BSP voters, a strong base in Ghazipur. The Yogi government has financially weakened the Ansari family, and recovering from Mukhtar's death is a daunting challenge. The Ansari family's political gameplay post-Mukhtar's era awaits keen observation.
The Ansari family has always nurtured an image of benevolence among Muslims, Dalits, and the impoverished across Mau, Ghazipur, and Ballia. Yet, how Afzal Ansari maneuvers his next political steps, particularly without BSP's backing, could be crucial. With Mukhtar's passing, we stand on the brink of witnessing either a political resurgence or an eclipsing of an era for the Ansari dynasty.
