Jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has been offered a chance to contest the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections by the Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Sena (UBVS), a political party that advocates for the rights of North Indians in Maharashtra. UBVS, led by Sunil Shukla, wrote a letter to Bishnoi, comparing him to revolutionary Bhagat Singh and inviting him to be the face of their campaign. The party also plans to announce 50 candidates in its election bid, focusing on those of North Indian descent who have been denied reservation in Maharashtra due to their non-local ancestry.
Shukla emphasized that North Indians from Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Bihar, many of whom belong to the OBC, SC, and ST categories, face systematic exclusion from reservations because of their origins, despite being born and raised in Maharashtra. He further stressed the need for uniting these communities to fight for their rights in the state, with Bishnoi as a potential leader.
This development has caused considerable controversy, especially given Bishnoi’s criminal background. Known for orchestrating a widespread criminal network, Bishnoi has been implicated in various high-profile cases, including the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and threats to Bollywood star Salman Khan. His gang has been linked to extortion and contract killings, including the recent assassination of NCP leader Baba Siddique.
The proposal from UBVS has sparked debate over the increasing intersection of crime and politics, especially as Bishnoi remains behind bars in Gujarat’s Sabarmati Central Jail. Critics argue that the political offer only highlights the dangerous nexus between politics and crime, while supporters of UBVS believe Bishnoi’s influence could rally the disenfranchised North Indian communities.
As Maharashtra gears up for the 2024 elections, the offer to Bishnoi raises questions about the ethical and legal implications of allowing criminal figures to engage in the political process. Bishnoi’s response to the offer remains to be seen, but the controversy is already fueling heated discussions in political circles.
