PM, Sonia Gandhi to campaign for Jharkhand polls
By IANSFriday, November 13, 2009
NEW DELHI - The Congress will launch an intense campaign for the Jharkhand assembly polls, fielding Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, party chief Sonia Gandhi and general secretary Rahul Gandhi as the main campaigners, party officials said Friday.
The party has decided to enlist union ministers besides present and former chief ministers for canvassing in the state for the five-phased polls that begin Nov 27.
The party has finalised a list of 40 leaders who will seek votes in the first phase of polling. They include union ministers Pranab Mukherjee, Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mukul Wasnik, Ambika Soni and Vilasrao Deshmukh. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot are also expected to campaign.
Party sources said other prominent campaigners include former cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin and party leaders Digvijay Singh, Oscar Fernandes and Ajit Jogi.
The Congress is fighting the elections in the state in alliance with the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha of Babulal Marandi, but the two parties are also engaged in “friendly fights” for some seats.
The five-phased polls to the Jharkhand assembly will be held Nov 27-Dec 18 and the counting will take place Dec 23.
Tags: Ambika Soni, Manmohan singh, New Delhi, Pranab Mukherjee, Sonia Gandhi, Vilasrao Deshmukh
