Murdered official’s widow wins village poll in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW - The widow of a revenue official, allegedly abducted and murdered by the local legislator of the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Thursday won the election for the village head in Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur district.

“Kamala Devi has won with a thumping majority,” declared Sultanpur District Magistrate Pinky Jowel, who had assured Kamla that she would not allow her rivals to influence the election process under any circumstances.

“My husband was always confident that I would win if the election was free and fair,” a sobbing Kamala told media persons in Majhwara village, about 150 km from Lucknow.

“I am grateful to the district magistrate for taking adequate care to ensure fair counting of votes, despite much pressure from the BSP, whose legislator Chandra Bhadra Singh alias Sonu and his brother Yashbhadra Singh alias Monu were directly behind my husband’s kidnapping and murder,” Kamala said.

Ram Kumar Yadav, posted as Kanungo (revenue official) in Bhikapur of the adjoining Faizabad district, went missing while returning from panchayat poll duty Oct 24. His mutilated body was found Tuesday morning near a canal in the neighbouring Dakhinwara village.

Prior to his death, Yadav had made repeated complaints about life threats to him by the BSP legislator. He had also sought security for himself as well as his wife, whom the legislator wanted out of the electoral fray. However, their complaints were ignored and neither Kamala nor her husband were provided any security.

A case of murder was filed against the legislator and his brother after violent protests by Yadav’s supporters in the village Tuesday.