BJP slams Congress for Karnataka poll star's Atiq ties

NEW DELHI: The sensational killing of UP gangster Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf in Prayagraj last week and their links with various political parties has become a key poll issue in Karnataka with BJP highlighting Congress MP and star campaigner Imran Pratapgarhi's close relations with the slain dons, reports Akhilesh Singh.

Circulating a 2015 tweet of Pratapgarhi, in which he had shared a photo of Atiq and Ashraf, the BJP accused Congress of roping in a leader to campaign in Karnataka who was close to the two criminals.

"Gangster Atiq Ahmed and Ashraf were his friends. Imran used to call them brothers... Congress has kept him on the list of star campaigners for Karnataka polls, which shows Congress is in support of criminals and anti-nationals," Union minister and BJP MP from Karnataka Shobha Karandlaje said.

BJP IT department head Amit Malviya shared an undated video in which Atiq is heard referring to him as his "younger brother" and "heartbeat".