LUCKNOW (UP): Speaking against criminals in politics may be the favourite topic among political parties but the fact remains that none of the political outfits has any aversion to such elements when it comes to practicality.
The seven-phase Uttar Pradesh assembly polls starting February 8 is no exception and the tickets to the candidates with shady backgrounds have been given openly. A lot of hue and cry was raised over induction of expelled Bahujan Samaj Party minister Babu Singh Kushwaha into the Bharatiya Janata Party but no party is devoid of tainted leaders in their fold.
Ajay Rai, a muscleman from Varanasi was in the BJP but joined SP in the Lok Sabha election. This time he is Congress candidate from Pindra seat in Varanasi.
Independent candidate Raghuraj Pratap Singh ‘Raja Bhaiyya’ was arrested and sent to jail in 2002 by the Mayawati government. (UNI)
