By IANS,
Ranchi : Rajnath Singh, Rahul Gandhi, Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad — Jharkhand saw several high-profile party leaders hit the campaign trail Friday.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh campaigned at four places that go to polls in the third phase of assembly elections Dec 8. He addressed public meetings at Jamua, Dhanwar, Bagodar and Bermo assembly constituencies.
“The BJP will not spare those who plundered the state,” the BJP chief said.
He came down heavily on the Congress and other parties for supporting former chief minister Madhu Koda, who is now at the centre of a Rs.2,500 crore money laundering scam.
Rajnath Singh also promised poor people rice at Re.1 per kg and wheat and salt at 25 paise.
Rahul Gandhi reached here around 11.30 a.m. and headed to Bermo to address a rally. The Congress MP addressed four public meetings — at Bermo, Latehar, Visunpur and Simdega constituencies.
“In 2004 two ideologies fought. We fought for the ideology of the common man and the opposition fought on the India shining slogan. People reposed their faith as our ideology is focussed on the common man and development of each section of society,” Rahul Gandhi said while addressing a rally in Simdega.
He added: “If you want the money sent by the central government, then ensure the formation of a Congress government in the state.”
Janata Dal-United (JD-U) chief Nitish Kumar was to campaign at six places Friday, starting from Shikaripara.
Former Bihar chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad campaigned in Dumka.
In the third phase of elections, voting will take place for 11 of the 81 assembly seats. In the first two phases, polls were held in 26 and 14 constituencies on Nov 25 and Dec 2 respectively.
The five-phase assembly poll will end Dec 18 and votes will be counted Dec 23.