Campaigning tempo picks up as countdown for parliamentary polls begin

Gaya/ Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 8 (ANI): Hectic campaigning by candidates and leaders of various political parties was witnessed in different parts of the country.

Former Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi while campaigning for the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) criticised the State Government led by Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal (United) by saying it had done nothing for the poor and the under privileged.

She also noted, probably in the context of her husband Lalu Prasad being ridiculed by his opponents that the deeds of progressive persons are underplayed.

"Fun is made of vikas purush while those who are vinash purush are always highlighted by the media," said Rabri Devi.

Meanwhile, addressing a meeting at Thiruvanthapuram, Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Prakash Karat stressed on the need for a non-Congress and non-BJP Central Government that is secular.

To this end, he said that the Third Front of which CPI-M is a constituent is the apt choice.

"We are talking about a secular government, but that secular government needs to be an alternative secular government, alternative to the Congress led government," said Karat. (ANI)