Prayagraj. Pallavi Patel, a Samajwadi Party MLA from the Sirathu assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh and a leader of the Apna Dal (Kamerawadi), met the family of the late former MP Atiq Ahmed in Prayagraj. She expressed her condolences to the family over the death of Atiq’s youngest son, Aban, in a road accident. This meeting has sparked discussions within Uttar Pradesh’s political circles. While a large number of people close to the Atiq family had attended Aban’s funeral, political figures had largely stayed away.
Pallavi Patel arrived in Prayagraj and met members of Atiq Ahmed’s family. She met Atiq’s son Ahzam, expressed grief over the death of his younger brother Aban, and offered condolences to the family. During the visit, she also met the children of Atiq Ahmed’s younger brother, Ashraf. Her meeting with the family has become a subject of various speculations in political circles.
Atiq Ahmed’s youngest son, Aban, recently died in a road accident, plunging the family into mourning. Following the news of Aban’s death, a large number of close associates and acquaintances visited the family. A huge crowd gathered for his funeral as well; however, prominent leaders from political parties were notably absent.
Against this backdrop, Pallavi Patel’s visit to Atiq Ahmed’s family has become a topic of political discussion. Pallavi Patel is the MLA for the Sirathu assembly constituency and is active in Uttar Pradesh politics. She won the 2022 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections from the Sirathu seat by defeating the then Deputy Chief Minister, Keshav Prasad Maurya. Her stature and prominence in state politics grew significantly following that victory.
However, Pallavi Patel has characterized this meeting with the Atiq family strictly as an expression of grief and condolence. While visiting a family to offer condolences following a death is considered a standard social practice, this particular visit has grabbed headlines due to the past cases and political history associated with Atiq Ahmed and his family.
For decades, Atiq Ahmed’s name remained a subject of discussion in Prayagraj and surrounding areas, linked to both politics and criminal activities. He served as an MLA five times and was a Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) once. Numerous criminal cases were registered against him both before and after his entry into politics. Following the Umesh Pal murder case in Prayagraj in February 2023, Atiq Ahmed and several members of his family once again became the focus of investigations and police action.
Atiq Ahmed’s family has faced several major tragedies in recent years. On April 13, 2023, Atiq’s son, Asad Ahmed, was shot dead in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force in Jhansi. Asad was an accused in the Umesh Pal murder case and was wanted by the police. Another accused, named Ghulam, was also killed in the same encounter.
Two days later, on the night of April 15, 2023, Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were shot dead in Prayagraj. They were being taken for a medical examination under police protection when three assailants opened fire on the brothers in the presence of media personnel. The police apprehended the attackers immediately after the incident. This sensational killing sparked a nationwide debate regarding law and order and police security.
Following these events, several members of Atiq Ahmed’s family remained in the limelight for a long time. Now, the death of his youngest son, Aban, in a road accident has dealt another blow to the family. After Aban’s passing, acquaintances and close associates have been visiting the family’s residence in Prayagraj.
Pallavi Patel’s visit is considered significant because most active politicians have publicly maintained a distance from this matter. Naturally, Pallavi Patel’s visit to meet the family has sparked political speculation. As of now, there is no confirmation of any major political development arising from this meeting; it is being described as a visit to offer condolences.
Pallavi Patel has remained consistently active in Uttar Pradesh politics and has openly voiced her views on various issues. Attention will now be focused on the reactions of political parties following her meeting with Atiq’s family. For the moment, she has met the family members to express her grief over Aban’s death and convey her condolences to the bereaved relatives.
