Lucknow: If underworld don Abu Salem is busy chalking out a political career for himself, could his rival and equally infamous Babloo Srivastava be far behind?
Close on the heels of a statement by Abu Salem's lawyer A K Saraogi that the jailed man plans to take a plunge in electoral politics, Babloo declared here: "If Salem chooses to enter the fray, I will contest against him."
Babloo made it loud and clear that this time it would not be a battle of the bullet but of the ballot against Abu Salem.
Alleged to have been once close chums, the two fell apart after Babloo refused to join hands with him in the 1993 Mumbai bombings masterminded by Dawood Ibrahim, now India's most wanted man.
Says Babloo's lawyer Ramugrah Shukla: "Babloo told me that he was ready to take on Abu Salem even in (the latter's home constituency) in Azamgarh district (in Uttar Pradesh)."
It is another matter that Babloo lost his security deposit when he tried his fortunes at the hustings in his home town Sitapur in the general election three years ago.
Barely 10 days ago, Salem's lawyer had announced in Lucknow that the jailed mobster would contest the forthcoming assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh.
Simultaneously Abu Salem greeted people in his hometown, Serai Mir in Azamgarh district, through posters on the occasion of Eid.
The whole town was plastered with Abu Salem's posters, indicating his first attempt to establish a rapport with the local population.
Lodged in the high-security Bareilly prison for about a decade, Babloo has been coming here for hearings in various criminal cases pending against him before local courts.
"No sooner did he learn of Abu Salem's political intentions than Babloo decided to join the battle," said his lawyer.
"In case his conviction by a Delhi court in one of the many cases comes in way of his candidature, Babloo will field his nominee against Abu Salem," the lawyer told IANS. "He is firm and resolute on this issue."
Interestingly, the two outlaws have several things in common. Both were extradited - Abu Salem from Portugal and Babloo from Singapore, where he was in possession of a Nepalese passport.
Both were facing serious charges of murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping for ransom and extortion. Both are currently in jail.
The difference is that while Abu Salem is charged with terrorist activities, Babloo faces charges of other heinous crimes.
Babloo was convicted in one murder case by a Delhi court against which his appeal is pending before a higher court. Salem is still facing trial in several cases relating to the Mumbai blasts.
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