Mukhtar backs Cong in Varanasi

The Congress got a major boost on Tuesday when the Qaumi Ekta Dal, led by mafia don-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari, announced support to Ajay Rai, the Congress candidate against Narendra Modi in Varanasi.
Afzal Ansari, Mukhtar’s brother, said his party decided to unanimously back the Congress.
Ajay Rai welcomed the QED’s decision, and said: “It is a fight against communalism, and support from every quarter is welcome.”
The QED’s support gives the much-needed shot in the arm to the Congress as the QED, and Mukhtar himself, enjoys considerable ground support among Muslims in Varanasi.
Mukhtar Ansari, who contested the 2009 Lok Sabha polls from inside jail in Varanasi, lost to the BJP’s Murli Manohar Joshi by just 17,000 votes.
Mehboob Alam, a Muslim weaver, told this newspaper Muslims will now back Congress.
“The community was undecided on whether to vote for the AAP or the Congress, but now the message is clear. For us, Mukhtar Ansari’s word means a lot because he always helps us in a crisis,” he said.