How Mukhtar Ansari went from gangster to politician in India

Mukhtar Ansari, the late prominent Indian politician from Uttar Pradesh, had a multifaceted career marked by both political success and criminal allegations.

Qonversations delved into his background, early life, organized crimes, political career, and affiliations with various political parties.

Background and Family

Mukhtar Ansari was born on June 30, 1963. With his paternal grandfather, Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari, having served as an early president of the Indian National Congress, Mukhtar Ansari came from a politically significant family. Mohammad Usman, his maternal grandpa, was a brigadier in the Indian Army. Ansari’s ancestor was the Herat-born sufi saint Abdullah Ansari.

Rise to Prominence Amid Organized Crime

Ansari rose to prominence amid the emergence of organized crime gangs in the Poorvanchal region. During the 1970s, these group competed for government project contracts. Ansari was linked to the Makhanu Singh gang initially. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Ansari was involved in clashes and rivalries with other gangs, notably with Brijesh Singh.

The competition extended to various sectors such as coal mining, railway construction, and liquor businesses.  It was also accompanied by illegal activity, such as kidnapping and extortion.

Transition into Politics

In the mid-1990s, Mukhtar Ansari entered politics and used his contacts in the criminal underworld and influence to win elections, especially in the Mau and Ghazipur regions. Ansari was charged with a number of crimes, including encouraging violence among communities and being involved in extortion and contract killings.

The 2002 ambush of Ansari’s convoy, which was allegedly planned by Brijesh Singh and resulted in losses on both sides, was one notable event. Subsequently, Ansari’s political adversary Krishnanand Rai was killed, and Ansari was implicated in the crime. Ansari maintained his power in spite of his legal issues, especially with Muslim voters in his district.

Transition into Politics with Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)

Over time, Ansari’s political affiliations shifted. In 2007, Ansari and his brother Afzal became members of the BSP, claiming to be victims of the “feudal system.” The BSP’s presentation of Ansari as a defender of the impoverished and their ability to contest elections while incarcerated underscored the conflicts that exist between politics and criminality. In 2010, they were expelled from the party for their continued criminal activities.

Quami Ekta Dal and Return to BSP

In an attempt to gain traction in politics, Ansari founded the Quami Ekta Dal (QED) in 2010 after being kicked out of the BSP. Charges brought under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act were among the ongoing legal issues. The fact that he eventually rejoined the BSP in 2016 amidst rumours that he was planning to join other parties marked the complexity of his political connections. Ansari’s political comeback was highlighted by his victory as a BSP candidate in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Legislative elections.

Throughout his career, Ansari’s political journey was intertwined with allegations of criminality, communal tensions, and shifting alliances, reflecting the complex dynamics of politics in Uttar Pradesh.