03-31-2009, 09:39 PM
<b>Sanjay Dutt's electoral dream crashes, cannot contest polls</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Film star Sanjay Dutt's dream to plunge into electoral battle came crashing down as the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to suspend his conviction in a criminal case and allow him to contest the polls.
The apex court's order delivered a blow to the Samajwadi Party, which wanted to field Dutt from Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow, much to the chagrin of the Congress for the actor's father, the late Sunil Dutt was associated with the party for a long time. His sister Priya is a Congress MP from Mumbai.
<b>While the Samajwadi Party was stunned, Dutt put up a brave face saying he respected the court's decision but he would not leave Lucknow. </b>
"<b>I respect the decision of the honourable court. I am a law-abiding citizen and I really appreciate that the honourable court absolved me of TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act) charges," </b>Dutt told reporters in Lucknow.
He, however, added: "I am not going to leave Lucknow. Lucknow is my home whether I fight this election or not. <b>This is my father's place and I owe a lot to Lucknow. I am not going to leave Lucknow no matter what happens." </b>
Asked if his wife Manyata would be fielded as his party's general secretary Amar Singh had stated earlier, Dutt was non-committal. "This decision would be taken by (Samajwadi Party leaders)
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The apex court's order delivered a blow to the Samajwadi Party, which wanted to field Dutt from Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow, much to the chagrin of the Congress for the actor's father, the late Sunil Dutt was associated with the party for a long time. His sister Priya is a Congress MP from Mumbai.
<b>While the Samajwadi Party was stunned, Dutt put up a brave face saying he respected the court's decision but he would not leave Lucknow. </b>
"<b>I respect the decision of the honourable court. I am a law-abiding citizen and I really appreciate that the honourable court absolved me of TADA (Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act) charges," </b>Dutt told reporters in Lucknow.
He, however, added: "I am not going to leave Lucknow. Lucknow is my home whether I fight this election or not. <b>This is my father's place and I owe a lot to Lucknow. I am not going to leave Lucknow no matter what happens." </b>
Asked if his wife Manyata would be fielded as his party's general secretary Amar Singh had stated earlier, Dutt was non-committal. "This decision would be taken by (Samajwadi Party leaders)
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