Those contesting polls this time on an SP ticket include many history-sheeters like Vijay Mishra, an accused in the bomb attack near minister Nand Gopal Nandi’s house in Allahabad in July 2010 in which The Indian Express Senior Reporter Vijay Pratap Singh was mortally wounded. Mishra and at least two other candidates are in jail.

One candidate was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in a case of embezzlement last month, although the conviction has since been stayed. Asked about such candidates, SP spokesman Rajendra Chowdhary said: “We will look into the matter and ensure that no person of criminal background gets the ticket.’’

The SP is the only one which has announced candidates for 400 of the 403 seats. Of the three seats still left, it is supporting independent MLA Raja Bhaiya in Kunda. Three of its candidates with a criminal background have come from the BSP while two are contesting their first election. All others are old SP men, some are sitting MLAs.

Consider:

Mukesh Chowdhary, Charthawal (constituency): Was arrested in 2009 in a case of murderous attack on the then District Welfare Officer Rinku Singh Rahi. Rahi found several irregularities in schemes run by the Social Welfare Department, including a racket in student scholarships in which Chowdhary was involved. Said Chowdhary: “I have been granted bail in the attempt to murder and Gangster Act cases. My property which was seized by the police has been released.’’ He has contested election on SP ticket in the past also.

Vijay Mishra, sitting SP MLA from Gyanpur: In Meerut district jail, Mishra was allegedly the key conspirator behind the Juy 2010 blast near BSP minister Nand Gopal Nandi’s residence in which two persons, including The Indian Express Senior Reporter Vijay Pratap Singh, were fatally wounded. Mishra carried a reward of Rs 2.5 lakh on his head. Was arrested last year in Mumbai; more than 63 criminal cases against him.

Sherbaz Khan, Chandpur: In Bijnore Hail, with 17 criminal cases against him, including one under the Gangster Act. Said his lawyer Riyaz Alam: “Cases are at the behest of BSP MLA Mohabad Iqbal after Khan filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court against the MLA”. He is contesting his first election.

Bhagwan Sharma, Dibai: Ex-BSP, he was arrested in 2009 after a research scholar of Agra University accused him of rape. In 2010, he was arrested a second time for abducting 14 members of the Jahangirabad Block Development Committee to ensure victory of his candidate. Said Sharma: “The police falsely implicated me in the cases, I have been given the clean chit in the rape case”.

Mukesh Sharma, Shekarpur: Younger brother of Bhagwan Sharma, also ex-BSP. Arrested with his brother in the Jahangirabad case. He claims case against him was politically motived.

Mehboob Ali, Amroha: In 2002, he contested the assembly election from jail and won. Around 30 criminal cases against him, including dacoity, land-grabbing, also booked under the Goonda Act. Ali says all cases are politically motivated.

Rameshwar Singh, Aliganj: Ex-SP MLA; 59 cases against him, including dacoity, loot and attempt to murder. Singh said that the cases were false and he had requested the Lokayukta to conduct a probe into the matter.

Sahab Singh, Baghpat: Ex-SP MLA, has 10 criminal cases against him, including one under the Gangster Act. He says cases against him were filed for holding protests against atrocities.

Durga Prasad Yadav, SP MLA from Azamgarh Sadar: Involved in 14 cases, including murder of four persons at a hospital in Azamgarh. He won his first election as an independent in jail. Yadav said cases against him were result of a family feud. “We have settled it,” he said.

Abid Raza, Badaun: Seven cases against him, he says these are politically motivated.

Shyam Narayan Tiwari, Farenda: Ex-MLA, sentenced to death in a murder case in 1968 which the Supreme Court later converted into life imprisonment. A few years later, he was pardoned by the President. Tiwari said no case was lodged against him after he was released from jail.

Mitrasen Yadav, Bikapur: Ex-MP, was convicted last month by a Faizabad court to seven years rigorous imprisonment in a case of embezzlement. Convicted of murder, he was pardoned; 26 cases against him; his son Anandsen, who was a minister in the Mayawati govenrment, was convicted last year for the murder of law student.

Abhay Singh, Gosaiganj: In jail in a murder case; 35 criminal cases against him. His lawyer said only seven cases were pending. He had once contested election as a BSP candidate.

Kamlesh Pathak, Sikandra: Ex-SP MLA has 35 criminal cases against him. Pathak said the cases were result of political rivalry.

Abdul Masood Khan, Tulsipur: Ex-SP MLA was involved in four criminal cases, including murder and attempt to murder. Khan said only one case was pending.