The sentencing of Mukhtar Ansari and his brother Afzal to jail is certain to hit the equations in eastern UP for the upcoming urban local bodies’ election, since the duo had considerable influence in at least a dozen districts, including Ghazipur, Mau and Azamgarh. Afzal is a BSP MP from Ghazipur and had a say in finalising party’s candidates in these districts. Now, the party’s action in expelling him is awaited, and so will be the decision to name a candidate in case of an early re-election after his likely disqualification. Already, the Ansari brothers’ crime empire is almost demolished.