Cong, BJP rope in filmstars for MP bypoll campaign

Bhopal, Feb 4 (PTI) Campaigning for the February 14bye-elections in Kukshi and Sonkatch assembly constituenciesof Madhya Pradesh will witness some star power with both theBJP and Congress planning to rope in film and TV personalitiesto woo voters.

While Opposition Congress is planning to bring in actorand former party MP Govinda and Raj Babbar, ruling BJP intendsto call film actress Hema Malini and TV star Smita Irani.

Congress sources said both Govinda and Raj Babbar wouldhit the campaign trail in Sonkatch, from where its candidateArjun Varma, nephew of party MP, Sajjan Singh Verma iscontesting.

By-elections in both the constituencies has become amatter of prestige for the BJP as they have traditionallyreturned Congress nominees in the past.

Even in the 2008 assembly elections, Jamuna Devi ofCongress had won from Kukshi while Sajjan Singh Verma wasvictorious from Sonkatch.

The Kukshi seat became vacant following the death ofJamuna Devi last year while elections in Sonkatch becamenecessary after Sajjan Singh Verma was elected to the LokSabha in 2009.

Apart from film stars both parties are also employingservices of senior leaders to boost their prospects in theby-elections.

From Congress side, party General Secretary DigvijaySingh and Union ministers Kantilal Bhuria, Sachin Pilot andArun Yadav have already held public meetings. .