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- by Parinda Bureau, November
12, 2005
Priya Dutt, contesting Parliamentary elections for the seat
left vacant on her father Sunil Dutt’s death, is not
as sure of victory as she was till the other day.
Reasons: the return of Abu Salem. With Abu Salem has returned
the ghost of the Mumbai Blasts Case trial in the camp of Dutt.
Out on bail after serving over 18 months in jail for his
alleged involvement in the Mumbai Bomb Blasts case (for being
in possession of RDX, bombs, cartridges and AK47 guns and
storing them in the house of his father Sunil Dutt) Dutt is
troubled at the timings of Abu’s arrival on the scene.
Stories of his association with the blasts had been forgotten
and he was ruling the roost, even endorsing products and modeling
for advertisements. Sanjay was to campaign for his sister
Priya Dutt in the by-election for the Parliamentary seat that
fell vacant on their father’s death.
He also had roped in several friends including Salman Khan
and Suneil Shetty to canvas for them.
Dutt camp is worried about the possible outcome of this
notorious connection. Sunil Dutt himself didn’t contest
the elections when Sanjay’s arrest was a recent memory.
He returned to active politics only when the son was released
on bail. Bail, in Indian mind, is equivalent to acquittal
as the court cases often linger for decades. The Mumbai blasts
case too took 13 years to be completed. It is uncanny how
Abu Salem has been brought in at the stage when the verdict
in the case could not be postponed anymore.
In fact, another theory making rounds is that this may be
a relief for Sanjay as the trial may be reopened. The verdict
was hanging on his head like a sword.
Shiv Sena candidate Sarpotdar, the rival candidate seems
to have got a shot in the arm as he hopes to capitalize on
the Dutt connection with the blasts.
It is interesting to note that though the TV channels went
overboard reporting the Abu Salem story and the newspapers
splashed everything remotely connected with Abu Salem and
his mole Monica Bedi the industry, page 3 celebrities and
film stars remained silent. This was the silence of fear and
of prudence. This also was a pragmatic silence.
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