Kuldeep Singh Sengar, BJP MLA accused of raping Unnao girl, has a history of switching sides | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Kuldeep Singh Sengar, BJP MLA accused of raping Unnao girl, has a history of switching sides

Kanpur, Hindustan Times | ByHaidar Naqvi, Kanpur
Apr 11, 2018 07:38 AM IST

BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, accused of raping an 18-year-old girl last year, has earned the reputation of a ‘bahubali’ politician by siding with whichever party is in power.

Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who is in the eye of a storm for allegedly raping an 18-year-old girl last year, is currently affiliated to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). However, that hasn’t always been so.

Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Unnao Kuldeep Singh Sengar speaks to the media outside chief minister's office in Lucknow on Monday.(PTI photo)
Bharatiya Janata Party MLA from Unnao Kuldeep Singh Sengar speaks to the media outside chief minister's office in Lucknow on Monday.(PTI photo)

Over the years, the 51-year-old MLA from Bangarmau in Unnao, has earned the reputation of a ‘bahubali’ politician by siding with which ever party is in power. The four-time MLA has switched sides and seats every time he has contested an election.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Kuldeep passed his Class 12 exams from Raja Shankar Sahay Inter College in Unnao. He started his political career with the Congress and became the pradhan of Makhi village in Unnao in 1997-98.

In 2002, he contested assembly elections as a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate from Unnao Sadar constituency and won.

In 2007, he joined the Samajwadi Party (SP) and won from Bangarmau assembly seat.

Kuldeep again changed his seat to Bhagwant Nagar in Unnao in 2012 and contested the election as a Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate.

Before the 2017 assembly election, he joined the BJP and once again won from the Bangarmau seat.

The BJP fielded senior leader Hriday Narayan Dixit from Bhagwant Nagar seat.

He has also brought his family into politics. His brother Manoj Sengar has won a local-level election. Kuldeep’s wife Sangeeta was elected chairperson of the Unnao zila panchayat during the SP regime, a position she still holds.

“Kuldeep has positioned himself as a prominent Thakur leader in Brahmin-dominated Unnao. He has a good hold on Muslim votes and also enjoys the support of other upper castes. He has considerable support among lower caste voters too. His formula to win the election is high social presence,” said Unnao-based political analyst Shailendra Shukla said.

While Kuldeep is a full-time politician, his brothers Manoj and Atul work to maintain his image of a ‘bahubali’ leader, a police officer posted in Unnao said. Both Manoj and Atul have criminal cases against them.

The family also runs jewellery businesses in Unnao and Kanpur. “His family is feared in the region because of Manoj and Atul, who manage the muscle and money power of the family,” the police official said on condition of anonymity.

Atul rose to infamy in 2004, when he allegedly shot at the then additional superintendent of police Ramlal Verma following a dispute with him.

A case was registered against him at Ganga Ghat police station, but the police officer chose to arrive at a compromise within five days of the incident, a police official said.

Verma was shot at when he was reportedly trying to stop illegal mining, he added.

Atul’s name also cropped up in another case where he allegedly opened fire on the father of a journalist working with a Hindi newspaper in Danakhori area of Unnao in 2014.

Atul has four cases against him in Unnao and one in Kanpur. His brother Manoj also has criminal cases against him.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On