Advani not part of Bihar first phase
The BJP’s seniormost leader, Mr L.K. Advani, will be kept away from campaigning for the first phase of Bihar polls. Reason: most of the Assembly constituencies which will go to poll in the first phase are Muslim-dominated and the saffron party is of the view that Mr Advani’s campaigning in these constituencies might lead to polarisation of votes, specially in the wake of Ayodhya title suit verdict.
Also, uncertainty exists over joint campaigning by the BJP and its alliance partner JD(U) during the polls. Sources disclosed that not even a single date has been finalised so far by both the parties for joint campaigning as the JD(U) is apprehensive that post-Ayodhya verdict, sharing dais with saffron party leaders, including Mr Advani, might harm its electoral prospects. The first phase of the six-phased Bihar Assembly polls are beginning from October 21.
Also, the JD(U) had already told the BJP top brass that the Ayodhya verdict issue should be kept away during campaigning. It could be mentioned here that the BJP is unlikely to send its star campaigner and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi for campaigning in the state as Bihar chief minister and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar is averse to Mr Modi campaigning. The JD(U) is apprehensive that campaigning by Mr Modi, a Hindutva icon, might adversely effect its Muslim votebank.
Though the BJP said Mr Advani would be campaigning in the state for five days, starting October 19, sources said he would keep away from constituencies where polling would be held on October 21 when voting for the first phase will be held. It could also be mentioned that the BJP state unit wants second generation leaders like Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh to campaign than Mr Advani, therefore, not many requests have come from the state unit for his campaigning.
However, both the alliance partners will jointly issue poll-related advertisement. But they are unlikely to campaign together.
Senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain said: “Nitishji and Sushilji (deputy CM and BJP leader Sushil Modi) are campaigning in each other’s (JD(U) and BJP) constituencies and joint campaigning means campaigning in each other’s constituencies.”
When asked whether Mr Nitish Kumar would share platform with any senior BJP leader, he said: “We are formulating campaign schedule for our leaders and will let the media know about it.”
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