Don of a different kind, Raju is a star campaigner for kin in Lucknow ULB elections

LUCKNOW: While the word 'don' invokes fear, Mohammad Zulfekar is lovingly called 'Raju Don' in the Old City where he is known for resolving disputes rather than creating ones.
He is drawing huge crowds as a star campaigner for his sister-in-law, Marjia Bano, who is seeking re-election as corporator as an independent from Mallahi Tola II ward.
Though the ward is a general seat, Raju made his sister-in-law contest the election. "It doesn't matter who is the candidate as long as it is from my family," he replied when asked why he himself is not contesting.
He is confident that his sister-in-law will get a second term.
During the election campaigning that ended on Tuesday, Zulfekar was seen seeking votes in his inimitable style by knocking on doors and asking people - "Babu ji, ghar se bahar niklo, nahi to hum a jayenge aur vote ke sath khana bhi khilana hoga" (Babu ji, come out of the house; otherwise, we will come, and you will have to feed us along with voting for us)."
This may sound a threat, but people welcome him with a smiling face.
Zulfekar dropped out of school after Class VI as he was not interested in studies and started helping family in its artificial jewellery business.
When asked how he earned the sobriquet Raju Don, he said that as a teenager, he was fond of helping people with different things.
"Children of my age would often come to me to resolve their disputes, as they thought I would be fair. Later, seniors of the area started coming to me for help," he said, adding that gradually the local residents started calling him Raju Don.
Salim, a local, said, "Raju is famous for his helpful nature and working for social causes.