BJP-Congress ad war rages in Gujarat (Gujarat poll dairy)

Dec 16, 2007, 9:20 GMT

Ahmedabad, Dec 16 (IANS) The polling closed in Gujarat Sunday, but the advertisement war between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress raged until the last minute.

BJP rebels used a photograph of an Israeli dance troupe to embarrass the Narendra Modi government. The photo, showing short skirts and exposed legs of the dancers, formed the backdrop of an advertisement that asked: 'Nari shakti nu aavu apmaan karnar ne mat?' (How can you vote for someone who insults women?)

As if this was not enough, there was another advertisement against the BJP that showed its poster boy Modi performing 'aarti' with his shoes on.

On the final day, the BJP put forth an advertisement carrying a photograph of Modi telling the electorate that his time and energy were all for Gujarat and so it will be 'Jeetega Gujarat'.

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Election Commission officials had lots to explain while the polling was on Sunday. At several places the erratic functioning of electronic voting machines (EVMs) caused chaos. This included the polling booth where BJP leader L.K. Advani was to vote.

In addition, there were several instances of voters complaining that despite having photo identity cards, their names did not figure in the voting list.

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Modi's voters in Maninagar constituency did not get to see him much during the election campaign as he was taking care of his party in the entire state. The voters were disappointed that they did not get to listen to enough of his fiery speeches.

Critics promptly interpreted his absence from the constituency as a sign of his arrogance and overconfidence.

He made up for all of this by descending upon the area Sunday. After voting in Sarkhej constituency, Modi went to the BJP headquarters at Khanpur and then took a round of the constituency, accompanied by a large number of supporters.

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Sunday's polling began with a major embarrassment for the BJP when one of its candidates was arrested within an hour.

Police took into custody Jayanti Rathwa, candidate from Pavi Jetpur constituency of central Gujarat. He was charged with illegal possession of weapons, which were seized from three vehicles driven by his supporters. `

© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service