Hindustan Times (Amritsar)

Yogi to be poster boy for saffron party’s high-octane campaign

- Gaurav Bisht gaurav.bisht@hindustant­imes.com

SHIMLA: Three days after All India Congress Committee( A ICC) vice president Rahul Gandhi sounded poll bugle in Mandi’s Paddal ground, opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has drawn a strategy for high-octane campaign to bolster its electionee­ring, as it has decided to pitch in Utt ar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adi ty ana th along with battery of central leaders.

UP chief minister Adi ty ana th, known for his blunt oratory, will campaign for BJP candidates in different constituen­cies.

“Adityanath­jee will tour state” state party chief Satpal Singh Satti told Hindustan Times.

Adi ty ana th Yogi is expected to hold rallies in Chamba, Kullu, Sirmaur districts, while other national leaders will also galvanise campaign. The other key leaders who will visit state include informatio­n and broadcasti­ng minister Smriti Irani. Irani had been visited the state couple of times, during her tenure as a Union minister, for different functions and campaign in gin Himachal.

Besides Irani, BJP national president Amit Shah will also tour the state. Shah himself had been at the forefront devising the election strategy.

Recently, he addressed Yuva Hunkar Rally in state’s sensitive Kangra district.

BJP will also rely on home minister Raj na th Sing h’ s proximity to Himachal’s voters. Singh had toured state extensivel­y during 2012 assembly elections. While Union surface and transport minister Nit in G ad kari, who toured Shimla and Kullu district in last elections, this time will also visit the state.

“Dates for the rallies and programmes are being finalised” said Sat ti. The saffron party, how- ever, will not use Bollywood actors and film stars for campaignin­g this time.

BJP CONSTITUTE­S-16 MEMBER POLL PANEL

B JP has constitute­d a 16- member selection committee for the ticket distributi­on in HP.

However, BJP has decided on the final names for the majority of seats, but the final nod will be given by Amit Shah.

Soon, after the announceme­nt of election, B JP will hold meeting in New Delhi to finalise the list and party’ s parliament­ary board will take the final call.

 ?? HT FILE ?? UP CM Adityanath Yogi is expected to hold rallies in Chamba, Kullu, Sirmaur districts.
HT FILE UP CM Adityanath Yogi is expected to hold rallies in Chamba, Kullu, Sirmaur districts.

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