Amidst the quietude that enveloped Mohammadabad (Ghazipur), the dominion of Mukhtar Ansari and his kinfolk resonated distinctly, marked by the closure of commercial hubs and bazaars in the quaint township following the demise of the erstwhile hoodlum-turned-politician and five-time MLA due to cardiac arrest.

A throng of adherents congregated at his hereditary abode nestled within the precincts of the Yusufpur enclave amidst a conspicuous police presence on the eve. Furthermore, a stream of political dignitaries, including former minister Omprakash Singh, paid their respects to the grieving household.

In parallel, Mannu Ansari, Mukhtar’s nephew and the incumbent MLA from Mohammadabad representing the Samajwadi Party (SP), announced the interment rites scheduled to transpire at the familial sepulcher within the town precincts at approximately 10 am on the ensuing day.

Omvir Singh, the superintendent of police in Ghazipur, reassured of the tranquility pervading throughout the district, elucidating, “The kin are extending their cooperation to the authorities. The mortal remains of Mukhtar Ansari are anticipated to arrive at his abode here in the nocturnal hours. Subsequently, the interment proceedings will be conducted by the kinfolk in accordance with customary rites.”

A resident hailing from Phatak, Sadare Alam, lamented, “My heart is weighed down with grief. He was akin to a paternal figure to us.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Adil Khan and Vijay Singh Yadav extolled Mukhtar’s resonance among the local populace.

Surendra Kumar Gupta, the president of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) unit in Mohammadabad, affirmed, “Mukhtar fostered a culture of accessibility, engaging with denizens across the spectrum, thereby endearing himself to the townsfolk. The voluntary closure of establishments bears testament to his popularity.” Offering a personal anecdote, Mohammad Zaved, a tailor by trade, reminisced, “Mukhtar Bhai, in his generosity, invariably remunerated me beyond the stipulated fees for my tailoring services.”

Dismissing the narrative of Mukhtar’s purported “mafia persona,” Md Irshad, a local fruit vendor, attributed it to sensationalized media portrayal.

Conversely, the commercial arteries of Ghazipur city pulsated with activity, unaffected by the events unfolding in Mohammadabad.