Samajwadi Party Names Rukmini Nishad as President of State Mahila Sabha Ahead of Uttar Pradesh Elections

UP News: On the threshold of elections in UP, the SP is gearing up to take on the BJP, which has been in power for nine years. On Wednesday, the SP made Rukmini Nishad, sister of bandit beauty Phoolan Devi, president of the state Mahila Sabha. Akhilesh is believed to be trying to repeat the masterstroke that Mulayam had played in 1993 by promising to release Phoolan. In 1993, the SP-BSP alliance was in place and Mulayam was promising to release Phoolan, the daughter of Mallahans, in every Mallah-dominated seat in that election. The alliance won most of the Mallah-dominated seats in that election. In Phoolan's district Jalaun, all four seats were won by the Urai, Konch, Madhogarh and Kalpi alliances. In 1994, Mulayam kept his promise and made Phoolan an SP MP. He won in 1996 but lost in 1998. Phoolan was re-elected to the Lok Sabha in 1999 and was murdered by his two younger sisters.