Don-turned-politician Atiq withdraws from Varanasi

Varanasi: Jailed mafia don Atiq Ahmed on Monday announced that he would not contest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, where polling is slated on May 19.

Atiq, who is presently in Naini jail in Prayagraj, in a letter circulated to the media stated that as he could not get parole for canvassing hence he had decided not to contest the polls.Though Atiq had announced to withdraw himself from the contest but still his election symbol television would be in the EVMs among the 25 candidates in the fray.

The mafia don had moved the local court in Prayagraj and then prayed before the Allahabad High Court seeking short term parole for electioneering in Varanasi. But both the courts had rejected his plea forcing him to announce not to contest the polls.

However, Atiq in his letter, which was released by his lawyer and poll agent Shanwaz Alam, though has described the matter as a violation of the democratic rights of an individual but has refused to support any other candidate in the elections.

"Bharat has a strong root of democracy but there are some people who want to bring 'Hitlorshahi or dictatorship in the country," he said in his letter without mentioning any name.Alam said that they will not seek any permission for polling agent during the elections.(UNI)