Salem’s brother has his own political plans | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Salem’s brother has his own political plans

Hindustan Times | BySunita Aron, Sarai Mir
Jun 03, 2007 03:00 AM IST

Abu Salem's political plans may have backfired but his brother Abu Jais seems determined to enter active politics, reports Sunita Aron.

Abu Salem's political plans may have backfired but his brother Abu Jais seems determined to enter active politics. In local parlance, 'It is a status symbol. At least one member of the family has to be in politics.'

HT Image
HT Image

Salem’s brother himself confirmed the plans: “I am from the Samajwadi Party and I work for my party. Certainly, I would want to contest elections, but much would depend on netaji (referring to Mulayam Singh Yadav)”. When asked if his brother had finally shelved his political plans, he quipped, “The matter is now in the court. He wanted to contest elections. Talks were also going on with Sone Lal Patel’s Apna Dal but then this fiasco happened. His name was found missing in the voter’s list.”

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Beyond this, he carefully avoided talking about his infamous brother. “Jab parivar mein char log hote hai, to unki soch bhi alag hoti hai (when there are four members in a family, then they don’t necessarily think alike)”. While insisting that people should understand him, he says: “Sometimes son is known by his father’s name while sometimes it could be vice versa.”

When told that people connect their family’s prosperity to Salem's underworld activities, he retorted: “We have our own business. How can there be any connection between the two.” He closed the conversation with, “I don’t meet him, I don’t talk about him.”

Local people don’t agree with this. But they prefer not to dabble in their affairs.

Abu Salem’s family lives in Sarai Mir, which is known more in the Middle East than India primarily because at least two members from each family of this town of 70,000 has migrated in search of a job.

Though local people jabber about Salem's childhood, they hide their ‘sentimental support’ for the incarcerated leader. They either prefer to maintain “safe distance or silence”. Talk to any shopkeeper in the vicinity of his house and you get to hear loads of tales about his childhood.

“He was a poor boy who used to run for petty errands,” says one man. Another recalls how Salem in tatters used to fetch tea from a dhabha before he left for Mumbai. But they would scratch their head when asked, “When did you last see him?” Pat comes the reply, “He hasn’t visited the area for several years now.”

But quietly they admit two things. One: Salem’s popularity among the youth. Second: The family’s prosperity that they connect with Salem’s rise.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On