Jawaharlal Nehru	Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit	Ateeq Ahmed, sitting MP

Elected thrice from Phulpur, the Pundit, Jawaharlal Nehru, became the first Prime minister of India. After his death, continuing India's great dynastical democracy, his sister Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit won the by-election from here. She quit the Congress party in 1977. Upon her exit, Phulpur offered the Indian Parliament some of the most skilled underworld gangsters.

The current squatting Member of Parliament is Ateeq Ahmed. "Squatting" is a good visualization because that's exactly what he's been doing... in jail. Ateeq Ahmed has been charged in over 21 criminal cases, including kidnapping for ransom and murder. He shot to media limelight during the recent turbulence in India's parliament over the UPA government's trust vote because of the Indo-U.S nuclear deal. Being part of Mulayam Singh's Samajwadi Party, Ateeq was expected to vote in favor of the UPA government but he voted against the deal. He had no-confidence in the government. This led to his expulsion from the Samajwadi Party.

The real reason for this vote is attributed to the theory that since the great people of Uttar Pradesh are currently under the clutches of Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party, he has a better chance of survival if he joins hands with her. Since she is against the UPA and Mulayam Singh, it makes political sense for this pawn to jump in her camp. Who knows, he might win the election again and maybe even get a chance to get out of jail.

Know your Representative

Here's your chance to read an interview with your Phulpur representative. The interview was conducted by Tehelka's Neha Dixit and the people's representative Ateeq Ahmed spoke through his lawyer.

You have said that you could not make head or tail of the nuclear deal, so why did you cross-vote?

Till date, I haven’t understood completely what the nuclear deal is all about. I voted against it because through it, the US was influencing Indian foreign policy. Moreover, the UPA Government wanted to pass the deal without the country’s consent.

What are your differences with Mulayam Singh?

In 1990, Mulayam Singh had the image of a farmers’ leader and a socialist thinker. His party also followed the same ideology. But now, it gives more importance to capitalists, liars, sycophants and pimps, which I strongly oppose.

These differences arose after you refused to boycott the Presidential election, as SP had demanded?

Being an MP, I represent 15 lakh voters. I would have defied them if I had boycotted the Presidential elections. In a democracy, the vote is the highest right and in no way do I think that boycotting elections is right.

Did you cross-vote so you could join the BSP?

I have said this before too, that I cross-voted because I am against the US. It is true that talks were on with the BSP, and they were also against the deal. So, both of us voted against the deal.

Why do you want to join the BSP?

India is a Dalit majority country. And though it’s a democracy, people from the marginalized sections are being exploited. The only way to alleviate their suffering is to make their leader sit on the topmost chair so that they get respect.

You have been trying to be friendly with Mayawati ever since a change of guard took place in Uttar Pradesh.

It’s not a crime to be friendly with someone.

You claim that you are innocent of Raju Pal’s murder.

Yes, I have nothing to do with the murder. I have been defamed because I was a political person.

There are over 37 cases against you involving kidnapping, getting property transferred in your name, dacoity, assault and usurping government land.

All these cases are false. I don’t want to elaborate on them because they are still under trial.

Criminals in politics is a big issue. Are you one of them?

If merely getting a case registered against you makes you a criminal, then all politicians should be stopped from contesting polls. The court will punish criminals, the Constitution will stop them from contesting, and the public will vote them out.

Considering Mayawati has been very tough with criminals , do you think she will allow her image to be sullied?

Till the court does not give its verdict, no one, be it a politician or a common man, can be called a criminal.

Will the BSP accept you because you can influence the Muslim vote?

I have been elected an MLA five times and now I am also an MP. I have represented my people for the last 15 years and hence it’s natural for the Muslims to be influenced by me.

Once you join the BSP, will there still be a free trial?

By asking this you are questioning the fairness of the court and disrespecting it. I have complete faith in the judiciary and believe that it cannot be influenced.

So if you think this guy is a goner, wait till you hear who's planning to be the next contestant for the upcoming Phulpur elections against Ateeq Ahmed.

Meet Waliullah. He is the main accused in the 2006 Varnasi blasts and plans to contest in the Phulpur tradition...from behind bars. At least thirty people were killed in those blasts and over a hundred injured.

Waliullah is being fielded by the United Democratic Front (UDF) which is led by the Imam of Jama Masjid. His reasoning to support Waliullah: "if LK Advani could be deputy prime minister despite his alleged involvement in the demolition of the Babri Masjid, Waliullah has every right to contest."

Can't argue with that. After all, in Indian logic, two wrongs have always made a right. Who cares what Gandhi said. Thank you Advaniji for setting the most dangerous precedent of our times. And of course, thank you people of India, for voting those fundamentalist bastards to power. We like our democracy mixed with religion.

Jai Shri Ram = Allah-U-Akhbar. Now let's kill each other.

Enough said.

3 responses
Have your say

1. Khalil Sawant | October 4th 2008 at 1:04 am

   One can feel nothing but pity for people of such constituencies that choose to elect such criminals.

2. maurya | April 27th 2010 at 10:44 am

   criminal ke alawa phul pur me achhe log bhi rahate hai unke bare mr kuch bataye

3. Navneet Behal | July 29th 2010 at 6:52 pm

   Zaroor Janaab Maurya. Humey to sabhi UP ke log pyare hain.