From Behind Bars: 7 Indian ministers who participated in polls despite being in jail


Lalu Prasad Yadav

    Former Chief Minister of Bihar and leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Lalu Prasad Yadav contested elections from jail during his involvement in the fodder scam case, which led to his conviction.

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Mayawati

    The former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Mayawati has faced multiple legal issues throughout her political career but continued to contest elections from jail on various occasions.

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Jayalalithaa

    The late Jayalalithaa, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), contested elections while incarcerated in connection with the disproportionate assets case.

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Varun Gandhi

    Member of Parliament and leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Varun Gandhi contested elections while facing legal charges, including the alleged hate speech case during the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

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Mukhtar Ansari

    While incarcerated in 1996, Mukhtar Ansari, a don turned politician who passed away this month, ran on the BSP ticket for the Uttar Pradesh Mau Assembly seat. Ansari prevailed.

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Pappu Yadav

    Controversial politician and former Member of Parliament from Bihar, Pappu Yadav contested elections from jail while facing various criminal charges, including murder.

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Amarmani Tripathi

    A former Uttar Pradesh Minister, Amarmani Tripathi contested elections from jail while serving time for his involvement in the Madhumita Shukla murder case.

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