What’s Next for UP’s Mau Sadar Seat After Abbas Ansari’s Conviction?

Lucknow, June 2 (NationPress) Om Prakash Rajbhar, the Uttar Pradesh Minister and President of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), has officially claimed the Mau Sadar Assembly seat after the vacancy created by the conviction and disqualification of the current MLA, Abbas Ansari.

In a media briefing, Rajbhar stated that the SBSP intends to discuss this matter with the senior leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), reinforcing the party's significance in the region.

"The Mau Sadar seat has always held great importance for the SBSP. We were the runners-up in 2017, and in 2022, we emerged victorious in this constituency," he noted.

"Following the two-year sentence handed down to Abbas Ansari, we are exploring legal avenues to safeguard our party symbol. If a by-election occurs, we will assert our claim for the seat within the NDA," he added.

Ansari, an SBSP lawmaker and son of the late mafia leader Mukhtar Ansari, was sentenced to two years in prison for hate speech by the MP-MLA court, leading to his disqualification from the Assembly.

During the press conference, Rajbhar also discussed various cultural and political matters, announcing a 'Shaurya Mela' (Festival of Valour) scheduled for June 10 in Bahraich, to honor Maharaja Suheldev, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expected to attend.

"This festival is not only about celebrating our heritage but also about educating the youth regarding our illustrious past," Rajbhar remarked, accusing previous governments of ignoring historical figures like Suheldev.

He claimed that the Congress had intentionally diminished Suheldev's legacy to win over a particular voter demographic, while the Samajwadi Party honored invaders like Salar Masood in Bahraich.

"Why has the heroism of Maharaja Suheldev been overlooked in his own homeland? This goes beyond politics -- it is about identity, heritage, and our children's future," he stated.

Rajbhar further criticized both the Congress and the SP for neglecting national figures such as Ahilyabai Holkar, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Savitribai Phule, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Chhatrapati Shivaji, and Gautam Buddha.

"For more than two decades, these individuals were ignored -- now, their legacies are being revived," he emphasized.

He also called for reforms in the local election process, advocating for direct public elections for block pramukh and district panchayat leaders, similar to Nagar Panchayat elections. "I’ve discussed this with CM Yogi Adityanath four times, Home Minister Amit Shah twice, and even with the Prime Minister," he concluded.