Afzal Ansari has secured a significant victory in the Ghazipur constituency, obtaining 539,912 votes against his closest rival from the BJP, who received 415,051 votes.
Afzal’s success in this election is particularly poignant, marking the first election since the death of his brother Mukhtar Ansari, who wielded substantial influence in Ghazipur and Mau.
Mukhtar, who was a controversial figure with both criminal and philanthropic reputations, passed away in Banda prison under suspicious circumstances in March 2023.
Despite facing legal challenges and a prior disqualification as an MP, Afzal managed to regain his parliamentary seat with the help of a Supreme Court decision.
His political journey, which began with his first Vidhan Sabha election victory from Mohammadabad in 1985, has been marked by continuous success, particularly in the Ghazipur constituency, a former Communist stronghold.
Mukhtar’s legacy continues to loom large over the region. Known for his philanthropy and as a parallel power center, Mukhtar’s death left a vacuum that Afzal has been keen to fill.
Afzal’s recent victory also comes amid an ongoing legal battle, with the Ghazipur MP/MLA court sentencing him to four years’ imprisonment under the Gangster Act. He has appealed this decision in the Allahabad High Court.
Looking to the future, Afzal has introduced his daughter, Nusrat Ansari, as his political successor. A graduate of Lady Shri Ram College in Delhi and a theatre artist, Nusrat has already begun her political engagement by visiting local temples and ashrams, and participating actively in the campaign.
Afzal’s victory, with a substantial margin of over 120,000 votes, underscores his continued relevance and influence in Ghazipur, despite the family’s recent challenges and the broader political shifts in Uttar Pradesh.