Atiq Ahmad's wife to contest mayoral poll

PRAYAGRAJ: Jailed mafia don-turned politician Atiq Ahmad's wife Shaista Parveen on Friday announced contesting the mayoral election from Prayagraj in the upcoming urban civic body polls.
"I had recently met my husband Atiq Ahmad at Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad, where he had asked me to contest the mayoral election - whether it be a reserved or general seat. I am going to meet Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati. If she agrees, I will contest the mayoral election on a BSP ticket or otherwise I will approach AIMIM," Parveen told reporters here at a press meet.
Referring to the upcoming Mainpuri bypoll, she said: "Former Samajwadi Party (SP) MP and wife of SP national president Akhilesh Yadav is going to contest Mainpuri parliamentary by-poll after the seat has become vacant following the demise of SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav. Dimple is an affable woman but she is not the blood of the Yadav clan."
"Everybody knows Mulayam had stopped Sonia Gandhi from becoming the Prime Minister, citing her foreign origin (outsider). Similar feelings will arise in Mainpuri," claimed Shaista, adding, "Actually, it was the right of Shivpal Singh Yadav, the younger brother of Mulayam, to contest the Mainpuri by-poll." She was of the view that the SP will gain massive support if Shivpal contests from Mainpuri. Parveen claimed that the SP could face a defeat like the one in Azamgarh bypoll if Dimple contests from there. "Former MP Atiq Ahmad always speaks the truth. When he praised Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath calling him brave, honest and hard-working, it was not due to any fear but it's a fact. I hope that I will get time from CM to meet him after November 20.
She also accused senior police officers of hatching conspiracy against her son Ali and as a result, her son was sent behind the bars. She also demanded that the Yogi government must rethink its policy on madrassas.