These INDIA bloc MPs from UP face criminal charges, risk disqualification

The opposition INDIA bloc has emerged in the lead in Uttar Pradesh, with 43 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats from the state.

Six of these MPs are facing criminal charges, putting them at the risk of losing their Parliament membership down the road. If any of them are convicted and attract a jail term of more than two years, they would stand disqualified from the House.

Afzal Ansari (Samajwadi Party) - Ghazipur

Afzal Ansari won the Ghazipur seat. He has already been sentenced to four years in prison in a Gangster Act case. However, the conviction was later stayed by the Allahabad High Court, allowing him to contest polls. Hearing of the case will continue in July when the court reopens after summer vacations.

Dharmendra Yadav (Samajwadi Party) - Azamgarh

Dharmendra Yadav won the Azamgarh seat. He has four cases pending against him, including a forgery case.

Rambhual Nishad (Samajwadi Party) - Sultanpur

Rambhual Nishad defeated BJP's Maneka Gandhi in Sultanpur. He has eight cases registered against him, including one under the Gangsters Act.

Virendra Singh (Samajwadi Party) - Chandauli

Virendra Singh won the Chandauli seat by defeating former minister Mahendra Nath Pandey. He is facing 3 criminal cases including a house trespassing case

Babu Singh Kushwaha (Samajwadi Party) - Jaunpur

Babu Singh Kushwaha ended his 10-year exile in politics by winning the Jaunpur seat. He is facing several cases related to the NRHM scam under the Mayawati regime when he was a minister. Charges have been framed in eight of the 25 cases filed against him.

Imran Masood (Congress) - Saharanpur

Imran Masood won from Saharanpur with 44.6% votes. Eight cases are registered against him, including one related to money laundering. Charges have been framed against him in two cases.

Chandrashekhar Azad (Azad Samaj Party) - Nagina

Chandrashekhar Azad registered his maiden win in the Lok Sabha polls from Nagina. He promised to support the INDIA bloc from outside, when neccessary.

He has over 30 cases registered against him, but has not been convicted in any so far.

There are several BJP leaders too from Uttar Pradesh who won the polls and are facing criminal charges. Some of them are Mohd Azam Khan, his son Abdullah Azam of SP, Khaboo Tiwari, Vikram Saini, Ram Dular Gond, Kuldeep Sengar and Ashok Chandel.

Also watch: Meet Pappu Yadav: Independent candidate from Bihar's Purnia with 41 criminal cases