BJPs election campaign in Gujarat runs into controversy

The Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) election campaign in Gujarat has got embroiled in a controversy.

Surat/Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Nov 27 : The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) election campaign in Gujarat has got embroiled in a controversy.

It all began when party activists were given stoles embossed with the figure of the BJP's Member of Parliament from Surat constituency.

Earlier, the local media had reported that lawmaker Kashiram Rana, a former Central Minister was excluded from party's publicity blitzkrieg.

However, Rana downplayed the incident saying he was not involved with the party's election campaign.

"Nobody has asked me about using my picture on the scarf and particularly when I have not been told about the election campaign. Nobody has taken my view on the election strategy," Rana said.

The Congress is too not without it share of worries over picking the right candidate in many constituencies.

Some of the aspiring Congress candidates lamented that locals who knew the pulse of the people were denied tickets.

"The candidate, who has been given ticket, has nothing to do with Khadia area. Workers of Khadia have worked hard in the last 15 years and brought the party to this position. We demand that there should be local candidate, who has worked here," said Jagat Shukla, a candidate.

The Congress has given ticket to Chetan Rawal in Khadia constituency. The elections in Khadia are slated for December 16, in the second phase of polling.

The BJP managed to win 127 seats, while the Congress party was able to win only 51 seats in the 2002 Gujarat Assembly polls. The Janata Dal (United) and independents won two seats each.

The first phase of elections in Gujarat will be held on December 11 and second phase on December 16. The counting of votes will take place on December 23.

Over 36 million voters will elect the 182-member Assembly in Gujarat as the term of the State's Legislative Assembly is due to expire on December 26.

ANI