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Pre-poll violence: Rival leaders shoot it out in Uttar Pradesh

In what is seen as the beginning of pre-election violence in Uttar Pradesh, two prominent rival political leaders, with equally notorious criminal antecedents entered into a virtual gang war in Rae Barelli district on Wednesday night.

It was a sensational shoot-out between Ajit Singh, a Lucknow based BJP member of the state legislative council, and Akhilesh Singh, a sitting Congress MLA from Rae Barelli.

While there were no casualties except for some gun shot wounds on Akhilesh's face, first information reports have been lodged from both the sides.

"Investigations are on and no arrest has been made so far," Rae Barelli superintendent of police Ajay Anand told rediff.com.

Both Akhilesh and Ajit have a number of criminal cases pending against them and their names spell terror.

Akhilesh is the Congress nominee from one of the assembly segments of Rae Barelli parliamentary constituency, once represented by Congress stalwart the late Indira Gandhi.

Speaking to rediff.com Akhilesh Singh said, "I was on my way from Rae Barelli to Lucknow alonwgith my official gunner and a few partymen in another vehicle right behind us, when my jeep was intercepted by two vehicles."

"I promptly spotted Ajit Singh together with Manoj Pandey, the Rae Barelli municipality chairman and his brother Rakesh Pandey who were firing at me," he said.

While Akhilesh claims to have ducked for cover inside his Bolero jeep, he added, "It was my gunner who saved my life by opening retaliatory fire at the miscreants."

Ajit Singh was not available for comment, but a close aide refuted Akhilesh's charge.

"It was Akhilesh who attacked Ajit Singh," he claimed, referring to the FIR that they have lodged with the Bachrawan police.

The incident has left the entire district administration and the police stunned.

"This is only the beginning; we do not rule out greater violence in days to come, as electioneering increases in tempo," an official of the state election directorate said.

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