JALALPUR (AMBEDKAR NAGAR):

, clad in a blue shirt and denims - synchronised with the colour of his party, BSP - looks unflappable when asked about the sobriquets 'Pistol Pandey' and 'Pink Panther' given to him last year following Delhi's Hyatt Hotel incident as he joins the

campaign for his brother Ritesh in UP's Ambedkar Nagar constituency.

He is out on bail after

booked him last year for a brawl outside the hotel premises for brandishing a gun, a case which he rubbishes as a result of a "heated argument".

Former MP’s son brandishes gun, threatens to kill two at a Delhi 5-star hotel

"There was tension then. Now I look back at the incident and laugh. There was an article recently on men who have worn pink pants - I was clubbed with Akshay Kumar,

and Nick Jonas. I have kept my pink pants safe. I think someday I will auction them off," says Ashish with a smile, as he starts campaigning in Jalalpur, the Vidhan Sabha seat represented by Ritesh.

The Ambedkar Nagar seat has been represented thrice by BSP supremo

, who only two days ago had indicated that she may contest from there if the gathbandhan gets the tally to claim power with allies.

The 40-year-old and his brother insist that though the family has a huge responsibility of ensuring a win in Ambedkar Nagar, it would be a privilege if Mayawati returns to the seat in case SP-BSP-RLD alliance stakes claim at the Centre.

Ashish also cites his wife's role as an animal rights activist, her vegan lifestyle and her agitation to get a ban on 400-year-old kabootarbaazi contest in Agra and 600-year-old mass killing ritual in Unnao behind his "law-abiding" virtues.

"My wife Kamna Pandey is a well-known face in the field of animal rights activism in India and was behind the movement to save Avni the tigress. I wouldn't even kill an ant at home," says Ashish as he recalls the Delhi incident.

The Pandey family has a plush home in Akbarpur city, from where their business has diversified into toll concessionaire, real estate, wholesale liquor trade and mining.

"We have around 10-12 toll booths scattered over many states, including

, UP and Rajasthan. And they are all with the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)," he says.

As he gets into a black Wrangler Jeep, the businessman-politician admits his love for guns and cars, with a disclosure that he has read more than 100-odd books on rare and vintage arms and on gun culture in US.

"I have a Cadillac 1962, Wrangler jeep, Mercedes G 63, Volvo Excellence to name a few and a lot of bikes. All my weapons - a pistol, which is made in Israel by IMI called Desert Eagle, 12-gauge Beretta - are licensed and deposited with the administration well in time to meet the election code of conduct," he adds.