Rajasthan assembly elections 2018: Power, poetry & humour mark Congress candidate’s campaign

JAIPUR: The Congress party’s campaign for its Malviya Nagar candidate Archana Sharma was a fun-filled event, with poets, folk artists and former CM Ashok Gehlot himself addressing the residents.

A large number of youngsters started reaching Barkat Nagar, which mainly has book shops, after knowing Gehlot was coming to address them. Gehlot, who was a bit late, still managed to get cheers and claps in his first address in a rally in the Pink City on Tuesday.

While addressing the youths, mainly the unemployed ones staying as tenants at the Barkat Nagar locality, amidst the speeches of local Congress leaders and state in-charge Mohan Prakash, a poet and teacher came with his poem, which was a satire on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his promises. In between his poem, the youth kept chanting ‘Chowkidar Hi Chor Hai’, ‘Ashok Gehlot Zindabad’ and to add humour to it, some started chanting ‘Modi Modi’. A local folk artist, Paniya Sapat, spoke in the local dialect and infused humour in the political gathering by sharing his dream that had Prime Minister Modi in it.

After a delay of almost half-an-hour, Gehlot arrived at the venue and waved at everyone at the venue. Looking confident, Gehlot started his address. But he was interrupted by a passing train. “ Train ka timing bhi mere bhashan se match kar raha hai (The timing of the train is matching with my speech),” he said and giggled.

Criticizing Vasundhara Raje-led BJP government, Gehlot, said, “She is responsible for closing down various welfare schemes and projects including rail projects for Banswara, Tonk, the Metro and the refinery.”