Mayas list has some wanted men

Haji Alim,the sitting MLA from Bulandshahr,has been nominated again. The police said he was wanted in a case of molestation and rape,dating back to 2003,and a court has issued non-bailable warrants against him. Alim could not be reached despite several attempts.

Manoj Tiwari is contesting his first election from Pratapgarh. There are 18 criminal cases against him and he is also wanted in a murder case which took place in 2007. The police have filed chargesheet and the court has issued non-bailable warrants.

Noor Saleem Rana,also known as Pappu,is the candidate from Charthawal in Muzaffarnagar. This is the second time he is contesting Assembly elections on a BSP ticket. The police said he was involved in three criminal cases,including a murder,which took place during the nagarpalika election in 2006. Rana refused to speak on the cases.

Pushpa Sharma,the candidate for Vrindawan,is contesting her first election. The police said she had been involved in 15 criminal cases,including attempt to murder. Sharma said no case was pending. The cases were lodged for fighting for the people. In a few cases,the court acquitted me,while in others the police filed the final report, she said.

Mohammad Tahir,former BSP MP from Sultanpur,is contesting his fourth Assembly election from Sultanpur. The police said he was involved in eight criminal cases,including attempt to murder and rioting. Tahir said the cases were politically motivated and in some,he had been acquitted.

Indra Pratap Tiwari,also known as Khaboo Tiwari,is the BSP candidate for Gosaiganj in Faizabad. He contested the last election on SPs ticket and lost. The police said he had been involved in around 30 criminal cases. Tiwari said all except three cases had been decided by the court and he had been acquitted. The pending cases are of minor offences,these were lodged during student union days, he said.

Dhirendra Pratap is the candidate for Utraula constituency. He is the sitting MLA from Balrampur which has become a reserved SC seat after delimitation. The police said there were 24 criminal cases against him,including attempt to murder,and he had also been booked in the Goonda Act. Dhirendra Pratap said the cases were politically motivated and,except a few,all had been decided in his favour.

Ajay Pratap Singh,a former MLA,has been chosen to contest from Karnalganj in Gonda. The police said there were six criminal cases against him,including murder and attempt to murder. He could not be reached for comment.

Ram Sewak Patel,the candidate for Badaun,had won as an Independent in 2007,but later joined the BSP. The police said he was involved in 21 criminal cases,including murder,attempt to murder,loot and violation of the Arms Act. He was also detained under the National Security Act. Patel said no case was pending against him now.