UNI
Lucknow, May 14: The newly-elected BSP government in Uttar Pradesh led by Chief Minister Mayawati has 17 ministers with criminal records.
Even though less candidates with criminal record were fielded this time, 155 tasted victory in the recently held assembly election.
However, there was a decrease in the number of votes collected by them.
Interestingly, 16 out of the 17 blacklisted candidates have been sworn in as cabinet ministers in the so-called 'sarva samaj' government.
Anand Sen Yadav who contested from Faizabad's Milkipur constituency could not take oath as he was lodged in jail. However, he will be sworn-in after being bailed out.
Prominent among sworn in blacklisted candidates are Ratan Lal Ahirvar, Ramprasad Chaudhary, Badshah Singh, Sangram Singh, Dahu Prasad Yammuna Nishad, Ramveer Upadhayay and Awadh Pal Yadav.
Out of 206 BSP MLAs, 69 had criminal cases against them, whereas in SP 47 of 97, BJP 17 of 50, Congress 9 of 22, RLD 4 of 10, and 6 of 9 independent have criminal cases against them. UDF and RPD has one one each with criminal background.
Govindnagar Congress candidate Ajay Kapoor got 10,478 votes in comparision to last elections where he collected 17,208 votes.
Similarly, Kunda candidate Raja Bhaiya (Independent) got 73,732 votes in comparision to 88,869 votes, Akhilesh Singh (Independent) from Rai Bareli collected 76,603 votes to 1,15,869 votes. Mukhtar Ansari, accused in Krishnanand Rai murder case and elected candidate from Mau collected 70,226 votes in comparision to 70,687 votes.
Though all these candidates won, but their was a decline in the number of votes collected by them. However, Amarmani Tripathi, accused in murder case of poet Madhumita Shukla garnered 64,377 votes in comparision to his last score of 63,348 votes.
Not only number of votes but their winning margin was also less.
Raja Bhaiyya topped the list of blacklisted candidates who won by big margin. Akhilesh Singh stood second, whereas, Ajay Kapoor, Pradeep Jain and Shivpal Yadav stood after them respectively.