Kareena to campaign for cong in Varanasi

Varanasi, Apr 10 (UNI) Even as charismatic Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is drawing large crowds at his roadshows across the poll-bound UP gripped with sultry weather, the party is now banking on the glamour of Bollywood.

Close on the heels of 'Pardes' girl Mahima Chaudhary soliciting votes in favour of Congress candidates in Kanpur, blue-eyed 'Omkara' beauty Kareena Kapoor is likely to canvass in bylanes of Varanasi to ensure victory of party candidate from Varanasi (North) seat Sheikh Mohammed Shamim.

''Kareena will be in Allahabad on April 20 and will then troupe down to Varanasi on April 21,'' claimed Milan Srivastava, media incharge of Mr Shamim.

The Congress candidate is banking on exciting crowd response, especially among the young voters to Kareena's sashaying in the serpentine alleys to translate into votes.

Joining the sizzling Mumbai Law College drop out nicknamed 'Bebo' will be actor Aditya Pancholi, Mr Srivastava added.

The visit of the two Bollywood actors through the snaking alleys of the constituency housing a sizeable Muslim population could well be crucial for Mr Shamim, with the ruling Samajwadi Party also fielding a Muslim in Haji Abdul Sammad Ansari from the seat presently held by SP MLA Rabia Kalam.

Ms Kalam, who was denied the party candidature after being first allotted the ticket, is also planning to contest as an independent candidate, while another Muslim leader Bhai Meraj is also likely to file his papers as an independent candidate despite having the support of Congress MP from Varanasi Rajesh Mishra.

Meanwhile, BJP is also planning to unleash a battery of stars in the constituency which has a history of polarisation of votes on communal lines.

In reply to Kareena who played the title role in critically acclaimed 'Chameli,' BJP plans to bring Dream Girl of yester years and its time tested campaigner Hema Malini.

Joining the Basanti of blockbuster 'Sholay' will be 'shot gun' and former union minister Shatrughan Sinha, Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi fame Smriti Irani, BJP district media in charge Rakesh Trivedi told UNI here.

Adding to the filmy glamour will be the inimmitable cricketer-turned-MP Navjot Singh Siddhu and the towering persona of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who are likely to work as a lifeline to the prospects of the BJP presently mired in CD controversy.

UNI