Malkhan Singh Rajpoot is testing his electoral fortunes from Dhauhara constituency as Shivpal Yadav's Pragatisheel Samajwadi Party (Lohia) candidate
I was 'baagi', who took up gun for self-honour and self-protection. I know who are real dacoits and also know how to deal with them," he said. People of his area say Malkhan hates being called a dacoit. They say he still evokes the Robin Hood image even outside the badlands of Chambal where he ruled for 15 years. When asked as to why he selected Dhaurahara constituency and not any other seat in UP or in MP, Malkhan said, "It is democracy. Anyone can contest from anywhere. If our PM Narendra Modi can contest from Varanasi, why can't I?" Malkhan and his gang were the most feared in the Chambal region and had a total of 94 police cases, including 18 cases of dacoity, 28 of kidnapping, 19 of attempt to murder and 17 cases of murder against them. When his surrender was ultimately negotiated, Malkhan himself carried a price of Rs 70,000 on his head. Malkhan settled down in district headquarters of Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh after his surrender before then MP chief minister Arjun Singh in 1982.
Locals say at the of 76, the over six-foot tall Malkhan is still a rebel, but sans the American self-loading rifle that he used to flaunt. Nevertheless, he is campaigning with all guns blazing, kicking up dust in the villages braving the scorching heat. In Dhaurahara, Malkhan had campaigned for Congress nominee Jitin Prasada in 2009 and helped him win. "I was assured a Congress ticket from Banda this time, but they ditched me," Malkhan said, when asked about his meetings with Congress leaders Jyotiraditya Scindia and Raj Babbar. Malkhan is contesting against Congress candidate Jitin Prasada, BJP's Rekha Verma and opposition alliance candidate Arshad Iliyas Siddiqui (BSP). The constituency will go to polls on May 6 in the fifth phase of polling.
Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
