The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Thursday expelled MLA Pooja Pal for anti-party activities and indiscipline, following her public praise of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s zero-tolerance policy against crime.
During the 24-hour 'Vision 2047' debate in the state Assembly, Pal credited CM Yogi Adityanath for bringing justice in her long-standing case against gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed. The SP MLA, widow of slain BSP legislator Raju Pal, said the Chief Minister’s policies led to the killing of criminals like Atiq Ahmed and restored public trust in law enforcement.
Speaking on the Assembly floor, Pal remarked, “Everyone knows who murdered my husband. The Chief Minister heard me when no one else did. His zero-tolerance policy led to the killing of criminals like Atiq Ahmed. Today, the entire state looks at him with trust.” She added in Hindi, “Mere pati ke hatyare Atiq Ahmed ko Mukhya Mantri ne mitti mein milaane ka kaam kiya” (The Chief Minister buried my husband’s murderer, Atiq Ahmed).
Reflecting on her fight for justice, Pal said, “I raised my voice when no one wanted to fight against criminals like Atiq Ahmed. When I began to tire, CM Yogi Adityanath stood by me and gave me justice.”
Raju Pal was murdered in January 2005 in Prayagraj, just days after his wedding. In February 2023, Umesh Pal, a key witness in the case, was also killed in a daylight attack. Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf, both prime accused, were later arrested. On April 15, 2023, the duo was shot dead at close range by men posing as journalists while being taken for a medical check-up in Prayagraj.