In a surprising turn of events, the Maharashtra-based political party Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Sena has invited gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to contest the upcoming Assembly elections.
The party’s President, Sunil Shukla, has addressed a formal letter to Bishnoi, drawing parallels between him and the legendary revolutionary Bhagat Singh.
In the letter, Shukla praised Bishnoi as a “revolutionary” and expressed confidence that his entry into politics could drive significant change. He also assured that the party would make every effort to secure his victory.
“We propose that you contest the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The workers and office bearers of Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Sena are ready to support your campaign. We are just waiting for your response, Shukla wrote in the letter.
“We are proud that you, a North Indian born in Punjab, represent a cause that aligns with our party’s values. Our party will leave no stone unturned to ensure your victory,” the letter further said. The Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Sena is a registered political party that advocates for the rights of North Indians living in Maharashtra.
Lawrence Bishnoi, 31, first gained national noto- riety when he was linked to the assassination of Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala on May 29, 2022. Moose Wala, a member of the Congress party, was killed in a targeted attack claimed by Bishnoi’s associates as part of an ongoing gang rivalry.
Recently, Bishnoi’s gang claimed responsibility for the murder of 66-year-old Muslim politician Baba Siddique in Mumbai’s upscale Bandra area. Siddique, a former legislator and minister, was known for his close connections with Bollywood celebrities, including Salman Khan. His assassination has intensified concerns about Bishnoi’s expanding criminal network, especially following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations that Indian officials were sharing intelligence with organized crime groups targeting Canadian citizens. Despite being in prison since 2015, Bishnoi’s influence remains strong, and now a political party is openly seeking his entry into politics.