BSP candidate from Varanasi Mukhtar Ansari, lodged in Ghazipur jail in connection with BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai murder case, has been shifted to Kanpur jail on the orders of the Election Commission.

Following several complaints against him by political parties for running his and his brother Afzal Ansari's election campaign from Ghazipur jail, the Election Commission decided to shift him, Ghazipur District Magistrate Sanjay Prasad said.

Mukhtar was brought here by train amidst tight security early this morning and has been lodged in Kanpur jail, DIG of Kanpur range Hariram Sharma said.

In view of threat to his life, he has been kept alone in a special cell and tight security arrangements have been made, Superintendent of Kanpur jail S M Rizvi told PTI.

Mukhtar has been lodged in the Ghazipur jail for the last over three years in connection with the BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai murder case.

Mukhtar's bail application will come up for hearing in the Allahabad High Court today. If he gets relief, the BSP candidate will be able to campaign for his candidature in the remaining four days of campaigning in the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, which goes to polls on April 16, in the first phase of elections.