LUCKNOW - Reacting sharply to actor-turned Samajwadi Party general secretary Sanjay Dutt’s often repeated ‘jhappi’ and ‘pappi’ declarations, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Monday sought to issue a clear cut warning that she was capable of sending the popular Bollywood star behind bars.

Dubbing Dutt as a ‘criminal’, she told a rally in the state capital here: ‘I wish to make it loud and clear to him that my party does not believe in giving ‘pappi’ and ‘jhappi’ to such persons; I believe in dumping them straight into jail.’

She added: ‘Sanjay Dutt might be harping too much on his ‘jhappi’ and ‘pappi’, but let me tell you that his own sisters were not interested in his ‘jappi’, ‘pappi’ gimmick.’

Referring to Dutt’s much touted ‘Gandhigiri’, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister said: ‘with the Supreme Court having confirmed his criminal antecedents by denying permission to him to contest the election, it is now clearly evident that all his ‘Gandhigiri’ was fake.’

Interestingly, this was Mayawati’s first poll rally in Lucknow, where she selected a venue bordering the two local constituencies - Lucknow and Mohanlalganj. The ruling party made it a point to have nominees of both the important seats on the dais with Mayawati.

Large-scale security arrangements were made for the rally that drew an impressive crowd. However, unlike the usual gathering at her rallies, the crowds looked dull and unresponsive.