SP defends decision to field Atique Ahmad; draws flak from BJP

Samajwadi Party today stood by its decision to field mafia-turned-politician Atique Ahmad as its candidate from Sultanpur constituency in the next Lok Sabha polls, drawing flak from the Opposition BJP.
"Atique Ahmad has been proved innocent in each of the cases so far. Until someone is proved guilty he cannot be branded as one," SP national general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav told reporters here.
"If a case is lodged against you will you be guilty... We have declared candidates for 76 seats.. How can you set aside 75 of them on the basis of one person," he added.
The ruling SP had yesterday declared Atique, a former Member of Parliament, as its candidate from Sultanpur constituency.

He was the SP member of 14th Lok Sabha from Phulpur constituency and has about 30 cases pending against him.
In the last election, he unsuccessfully contested from Pratapgarh constituency on Apna Dal ticket.

Meanwhile, the BJP has criticised Yadav's statement terming Atique as innocent and said that Yadav has now taken to being a judge and handing out character certificates.
BJP spokesman Manoj Singh said in Lucknow that Yadav's statement is a dangerous trend for democracy and termed fielding of Atique Ahmad by the SP as indicative of its frustration.
To a query on prevention of Communal Violence Bill, Yadav said SP favours the bill and if any shortcoming were found when it tabled in the Parliament, a decision would be taken at the party level with regard to supporting it.

Yadav also met the bereaved family of the girl who allegedly committed suicide five days back over eve teasing and promised stern action against the culprits.