Rajkot has a "batsman" candidate

Rajkot/Jaipur, Apr 21 (ANI): Mukund Dudhatra, an independent candidate from Rajkot, has captured the imagination of the residents by campaigning as a cricket batsman.

Infact the Election Commission has given him a symbol of a "batsman" so he dresses himself like an Indian cricketer and comes out on roads and streets padded up with bat in his hand and helmet on his head.

Dudhatra has also declared his asset of nearly 1.25 crore rupees during nominations, but when it comes to contesting the election he has made sure that he campaigns alone without any pomp and show at a mere cost of 10,000 rupees.

He believes that cricket is considered a religion in the country, which attracts people from all walks of life. He hopes to garner votes especially from the youth who are enthralled with the sport.

"My election symbol is very influential for the youth as most of the candidates who stand for elections are above the age of 50 and will never accept such a symbol, " he said.

Ganpat, a government employee in Rajkot too was surprised to see him campaign his way, but isn't still sure to vote Dudhatra for his credibility.

"The Indian Premier League is coming up. We join him and show our enthusiasm-playing cricket with him. We will vote this time, but still not sure whom to vote," said Ganpat.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party supporters in Jaipur have decided to put up cartoon campaigns to influence voters.

The cartoon-centric remarks were apparently put to depict Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in different postures aiming to highlight the failure of the Congress party.

Gehlot cartoons put up had shown Gehlot as a parrot chirping "corruption". Also depicted, acting with vengeance against BJP leaders and also cutting ribbons from one place to other.

"People look at it very keenly. Normal hoardings or big hoardings do not create much impact like this on people. Through these cartoons people develop a curiosity in their minds and come from far places to actually watch it. The cartoonist has shown the governments real administration and their deeds and his opinion in a few words," said

The BJP is trying to hard to attract parliamentary seats in Rajasthan after they lost to the Congress in the 2008 state elections. By Suresh Parekh/Lokendra Singh (ANI)