Parties make up for lost time just before Himachal polls

POLL TALK: Low voter turnout was a worry that reflected in L K Advani's speech in Shimla.

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Keywords: Congress, Bjp

Shimla: There has been a flurry of activity in Himachal Pradesh in the last few days before polling. Campaigning ended in the state on Monday.

All party big wigs have been fielded for campaigning by the Congress, the BJP and BSP, which is making its first foray in the battle for Himachal.

However, the state has seen none of the blistering fight that Gujarat saw in the run up to elections and voter turnout could be low.

It’s a worry that reflected in L K Advani's speech in Shimla but there was also a thinly veiled jibe at Sonia Gandhi.

“There are countries where voting is compulsory. I was asked to name them in Parliament and I said I may not know about all countries but what I do know is that it is compulsory in Italy,” said BJP leader LK Advani.

Congress, too, tried to make up for lost time by having party scion Rahul Gandhi and Manmohan Singh make their presence felt on the last day of campaigning.

It was even time for Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to take a dig at opposition candidates who were offering freebies to voters.

“I hear some candidates are offering you watches and mobile phones. I say please go to them and take the gifts they are giving but then go and vote for Congress,” said Virbhadra Singh

But these colourful comments were hardly enough to make up for the lack-lustre campaign. And leaders admit Gujarat overshadowed Himachal.

Gujarat elections were on December 16 and so I could manage to leave only after polling and then have come over here.

Yet hopes are high, especially in the BJP camp.

“Last time BJP lost, this time it is Congress' turn to lose in Gujarat first, then in and Himachal and at the Centre,” said Satpal Jain, State BJP President.

This may be a forgotten election process from the national perspective. But both BJP and the Congress are putting a lot of emphasis on the elections.

In 2002, Congress won here and came to power at the Centre and now BJP says it will do the same.