Advani not to canvass in Bihar Phase One

Oct 16, 2010 - Age Correspondent |

New Delhi

The BJP’s seniormost leader, Mr L.K. Advani, will be kept away from campaigning for the first phase of the Bihar polls. The BJP feels if Mr Advani campaigns in the first-phase constituencies, most of which are Muslim-dominated, it might lead to a polarisation of votes, specially in the wake of the Ayodhya title suit verdict.

There is uncertainty about joint campaigning by the BJP and its alliance partner, JD(U). Sources disclosed that not even a single date has been finalised so far by either party for joint campaigning as the JD(U) is apprehensive that after the Ayodhya verdict sharing a dais with BJP leaders might harm its electoral prospects. The first phase of the six-phase Bihar Assembly polls begins October 21.
Also, the JD(U) had already told the BJP brass that the Ayodhya verdict issue should be kept out of campaigning. It could be mentioned here that the BJP is unlikely to send its star campaigner, Gujarat CM Narendra Modi, to campaign in the state as Bihar CM and JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar is averse to Mr Modi campaigning there. The JD(U) is apprehensive that campaigning by Mr Modi, a Hindutva icon, might adversely effect its Muslim vote bank.

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