Uttar Pradesh BJP legislator shot dead near Balia

     Lucknow: Bharatiya Janata Party legislator from Mohammadabad constituency of UP's Ghazipur district, Krishnandan Rai, was shot dead this afternoon near Balia. He was going to attend a marriage ceremony, when unidentified persons shot him dead with AK-47 assault rifles. All seven persons accompanying Rai were also killed. According to the police and informed sources, personal rivalry seems to have been the key factor responsible for the murder of Rai and his associates. Rai's name had recently figured in the 'Golu abduction case'. According to the police, Golu alias Gaurav Kumar, who was abducted from Danapur while returning from the school by a Buxar- based Loolan, was later handed over to Guddu Rai gang, allegedly supported by Krishnandan Rai. Sources also said that Rai had a long term dispute with an independent legislator Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, who is currently in police custody for his alleged role in last month's communal riots in Mau.