Ranchi: Soon after Diwali, both INDIA bloc and NDA are set to launch campaigning blitzkrieg ahead of the first phase of voting for the ensuing assembly polls on November 13, officer bearers of ruling and opposition camps said on Wednesday.
While BJP will press its two biggest star campaigners — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah on November 3 and 4 for holding multiple rallies, Congress, part of the INDIA bloc, is also readying proposal for pump in their key faces to mobilise voters in their favour.
Assembly polls are slated in two phases in the state. The second phase will take place on November 30, covering 38 seats while 43 seats will to poll in the first phase.
On Wednesday, Assam CM and Jharkhand BJP’s co-in-charge for polls Himanta Biswa Sarma visited Chaibasa (West Singhbhum) to take stock of preparations for Modi’s visit on November 4. Sources in BJP said Modi is slated to hold two rallies on November 4. The second rally will be in Garhwa on the same day.
Prior to that, Shah will visit the state. Talking to reporters in Chaibasa, Sarma said, “Immediately after Diwali, our campaign will be intensified for the elections. Modiji will be coming on Nov 4 and Shahji on Nov 3 to hold two and three rallies respectively.” While Shah’s venues haven’t yet been announced as it was still under making, but sources said that he is expected to target North and South Chotanagpur pockets having over a dozen odd assembly seats.
INDIA bloc, comprising JMM, Congress and RJD, too is working out their campaigning plans. While outgoing CM Hemant Soren, who is also the executive president of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has already held several rallies over the last few days while taking part in nomination process for alliance candidates, his wife and Gandey MLA Kalpana Soren is actively canvassing in her own constituency and adjoining regions for other candidates.
The state Congress is expecting its central leaders to arrive in the state post mid-first week of November. On Tuesday, AICC notified the list of its 40 star campaigners. Party’s chief spokesperson Lal Kishorenath Shahdeo said, “We are sending proposal seeking time from Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallickarjun Khargeji, Priyanka Gandhi and party general secretary K C Venugopal. We are proposing multiple rallies for each leaders.”