The BSP may also field his brother Mukhtar Ansari from Varanasi against senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader M M Joshi.

The Ansari brothers are accused in the murder of former BJP legislator Krishnanand Rai. Afzal, who came out of jail on bail recently, met Chief Minister Mayawati on Wedne-sday. Mukhtar is still in jail.

Afzal, a sitting MP from Ghazipur, confirmed his meeting with the chief minister. “I won’t disclose anything. The BSP has its own system. Better you contact its senior functionaries,” he told The Indian Express. Tribhuwan Dutt, BSP zonal co-ordinator, said he has not received any direction from his party leadership and therefore, won’t comment on the matter.

The SP, meanwhile, has named Radhe Mohan Singh as its candidate from the Ghazipur seat.

Ghazipur is considered a stronghold of the Ansari brothers. Mukhtar is an independent MLA from nearby Mau. The third of the Ansari brothers, Sibgatullah Ansari, is a SP legislator from Mohammadabad. Before being elected MP from Ghazipur, Afzal had represented Mohammadabad for five terms in the state Assembly.

The map of Ghazipur constituency has undergone a major change after delimitation. Mohamadabad is now part of the Ballia Lok Sabha constituency. The BSP hopes Afzal will help the party get minority votes in neighbouring constituencies like Ballia, Azamgarh, Ghosi and Chandauli.

However, the party’s move to field Mukhtar against Joshi has surprised Opposition parties. “This points to a tacit understanding between the BSP and the BJP. By cornering minority votes, Mukhtar will harm the Congress candidate and indirectly help Joshi,” said a MLA.