Battle for Gwalior: Canvassing in full steam

Gwalior, Mar 5 (UNI) Canvassing for the March 8 Gwalior parliamentary constituency bypoll has reached a crescendo with all principal political parties trying their level best in the arena.

While addressing a mammoth public meeting here today in favour of Bharatiya Janata Party nominee Yashodhara Raje Scindia, who is also Madhya Pradesh Tourism and Sports Minister, BJP President Rajnath Singh praised the state government's work and claimed that only late BJP leader Vijaya Raje Scindia's daughter Yashodhara could ensure this region's development.

''The Centre's Congress-led regime is proving unable to check spiralling prioces and every social segment is vexed,'' he alleged.

Ms Yashodhara's sister and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, her Madhya Pradesh counterpart Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state BJP President Narendra Singh Tomar and several Cabinet ministers have already canvassed here.

Meanwhile, the Congress -- which was initially on the backfoot -- has forgotten internal differences to try and give the BJP a hard fight. Supporters of Guna MP Jyotiraditya Scindia and former chief minister Digvijay Singh have joined hands to drum up support for their candidate Ashok Singh. The leader duo are also staging roadshows.

''The Congress is unitedly contesting this byelection like in the days of the late Madhavrao Scindia,'' claimed Mr Singh.

The Congress state incharge V Narayansamy, Union ministers Suresh Pachauri and Hansraj Bharadwaj were among several leaders who canvassed here. Party sources said that Railway Minister Lalu Prasad will address a poll rally tomorrow.

Samajwadi Party General Secretary Amar Singh and MP Jaya Bachchan have drummed up support for SP nominee Munnalal Goyal. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav's son and MP Akhilesh is scheduled to speak at an election meeting tomorrow.

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati will herself arrive for canvassing in favour of Kedarsingh Vidhudi while Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan has done so for the Lok Jan Shakti Party's Phool Singh Baraiya.

Bharatiya Jan Shakti Founder-President has also addressed a meeting against the BJP.

UNI