Poll campaign gathers steam in Pondy

Pondicherry, Apr 23 (UNI) Electioneering in Pondicherry has picked up following the completion of the nomination process and is expected to peak with national leaders like congress President Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and some prominent film personalities visiting Pondicherry for campaign in the next few days.

Unlike in the past, there are no posters, banners or poll grafitti and one may wonder if Pondicherry is going to polls. This is due to the strict enforcement of the model code of conduct for elections enforced by the Election Commission Braving the scorching heat, candidates are engaged in door-to-door campaigning. They do not have any tall promises to the people like free rice or colour televisions as in Tamil Nadu.

The Congress-led front was highlighting the performance of the Rangasamy Government and it's achievements and seeking mandate to continue its ''good work'' while the AIADMK-led combine was making efforts to capitalise on the lapses of the government including its failure to hold local body elections.

This tiny union territory with 30 Assembly segements goes to poll in two phases -- on May three and 8.

While Mahe, Palloor and Yanam would go to polls on May three, 21 constituencies in Pondicherry region and six in Karaikal will come under the second phase on May eight.

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