'Marna toh tha hi...': Yogi Adityanath comments on Mukhtar Ansari's death amid controversy

• Yogi Adityanath addresses the controversy surrounding the death of gangster Mukhtar Ansari, attributing it to a heart attack
• Adityanath's comments, including "Marna toh tha hi," have fueled further debate amid allegations of foul play
• The Uttar Pradesh CM criticizes Opposition parties, accusing them of protecting Ansari and displaying insincerity in mourning compared to reactions to other political figures' deaths

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has addressed the controversial death of gangster Mukhtar Ansari, whose demise on March 28 in Banda jail has been officially attributed to a heart attack. Adityanath's comments, made on India TV's 'Aap Ki Adalat' show, have stirred further debate amidst allegations of foul play, particularly poisoning, raised by Opposition parties.

Responding to queries regarding these allegations, Adityanath stated, "Marna toh tha hi (He had to anyway die)... You tell me, how long will the person who killed hundreds of people escape?" The chief minister targeted the Opposition, accusing them of attempts to shield Ansari, stating, "Congress people tried their best to save him. The people of the Samajwadi Party are his protectors. What do you expect from them (the Opposition)?" Adityanath drew comparisons between the reactions of the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and BJP to Ansari's death and that of former state chief minister Kalyan Singh, emphasizing what he perceives as differing levels of sincerity in mourning.