By IANS,
New Delhi : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Vijay Jolly, who is taking on Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in Saturday’s assembly elections, loves drama. On Tuesday, he along with his wife Rashmi and sons Rishi and Kabir paid an early morning visit to Dikshit.
This meeting was planned in advance – unlike his first meeting, which could be termed accidental as they met while Dikshit was taking her morning walk at the Lodhi Gardens while Jolly was doing his early morning canvassing earlier this month.
Reaching Dikshit’s official residence at 3 Motilal Nehru Marg, Jolly launched his political speech.
“I had come to meet the chief minister to bring to her attention the problems of the common man of my area,” he said with smile to mediapersons.
He spoke about the issues like water, electricity and security.
When asked about Dikshit’s reaction to his visit, Jolly simply said: “She gave me a patient hearing.”
Using a crutch – he is recovering from a fracture – Jolly happily posed for a cameraman near the main gate of Dikshit’s residence with his whole family in tow, with the chief minister’s name plate in background.
Jolly also said that he had sought her blessings – but it not known whether he received these or not!
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Wedding and voting, but Dikshit not worried
This is one coincidence that could prove costly for the Congress party. On Saturday, the day Delhi goes to polls, there are an estimated 20,000 weddings! But Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is not worried.
“This does not worry me. I am sure people will come out and vote,” she said when asked if many people would skip voting to attend weddings.
She then paused and added: “I would like to appeal to all to take 10 minutes from their busy schedules and vote. Weddings generally take place in the evenings so that should not be difficult. Isn’t it?”
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‘Rath race’ between BJP, Congress
The BJP seems to be following its ‘rath ideology’ too seriously in Delhi. First it was chief ministerial candidate Vijay Kumar Malhotra’s ‘Ashwamedh rath’, then the radio BJP on an open truck and the latest is Harsh Vardhan Vahini – a small open van with an LCD screen on it.
As the name suggests, the vehicle is specially prepared for campaigning of Delhi BJP chief Harsh Vardhan, who has won thrice from the Krishna Nagar assembly seat in east Delhi and is looking for the fourth term now.
The Congress is not far behind in the race. The ruling party is campaigning from the ‘Vikas raths’, which are vans suitably changed for the purpose.
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What is Nitin Katara doing in BJP office?
Many were surprised with the presence of Nitin Katara at the BJP office Tuesday when they launched the Radio BJP. Nitin is the younger brother of Nitish Katara, who was killed by Vikas Yadav, son of Uttar Pradesh politician D.P. Yadav, in 2002.
His presence at a political event surprised many as the only other time he was seen in public was during the hearing of his brother’s murder case in a trial lower court in Delhi.
Many speculated he had joined the BJP. But the rumour mills stopped after a few curious mediapersons asked him. He clarified that his presence is “strictly professional” as he is an employee of the company marketing the event.
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“Basanti jindabad, BJP murdabad”
It was an unusual public meeting. Impatient to see the “dream girl” of yesteryears, Bollywood actress and BJP MP Hema Malini, hundreds of people gathered for a political rally in Jaipur late Monday evening started shouting slogans against the party.
“We have been hearing political speeches for so many days but today we are here to see Hema Malini,” said Rama Bhagwan Meena, a supporter.
“We are shouting slogans against BJP just to discourage them from giving long speeches and allow Hema Malini on the stage,” he said between shouting ‘BJP Murdabad’.
Obliging the fans, she finally went on the stage and waved to the people in the Malviya Nagar constituency of Jaipur.
After speaking for less than five minutes she drove away from the venue amid shouts of ‘Basanti Zindabad’.