NC brings in 'Bhishmpithama' to counter NaMo effect

The National Conference has brought in 'Bhishmpithama' to counter NaMo effect in Jammu. Cine star Mukesh Khanna, famous for playing the character in tele-serial Mahabharta, is campaigning for the party in Vijaypur.

The National Conference has brought in 'Bhishmpithama' to counter NaMo effect in Jammu. Cine star Mukesh Khanna, famous for playing the character in tele-serial Mahabharta, is campaigning for the party in Vijaypur.

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Vijapyur is one of the two constituencies of the Samba district which go to polls in the fourth phase on December 14.

The NC has given mandate to SS Slathia, former minister and sitting MLA. He had defeated the BJP candidate in 2008 assembly elections, Chander Parkash Ganga, by 1212 votes.

But on December 8, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at Raya Morh in Vijaypur was attended by about 40,000 people, a large gathering indeed.

But the NC has sought to counter the NaMo effect by bringing in 'Bhishmpitama' for help in this outwardly religious constituency.

"Election is an opportunity for the people to repose faith in secular ideas. The country is looking for the return of the peace and I am hopeful people will elect a dynamic leader like S S Salathia," said Mukesh Khanna during an election rally in Vijaypur.

The BJP is way ahead of opponents in media campaigning with the PM, the party's star campaigner, himself attending rallies. NC being a regional party has started to bring in cine stars.

Another star accompanying 'Bhishmpithama' Khanna is Mukesh Rishi, famous for his characters in films like Sarfarosh and Kurukshetra. Reshi is quite a hit among the locals here.

"Rishi is known to me and he along with Mukesh Khanna has decided to campaign for me. BJP is only banking on Modi, which exposes it real grassroots connect," Salathia said.