Rajasthan: Politicians use holi to connect with voters

With Lok Sabha polls approaching, most of the political leaders in Rajasthan celebrated the festival of colours, Holi, by reaching out to masses in their respective constituencies.

Interestingly, the ticket aspirants were also seen trying hard to connect with voters on the occasion of Holi.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot attended a Holi Sneh Milan in Jodhpur and interestingly, many supporters were seen holding the poster of his son Vaibhav Gehlot, who is likely to make his electoral debut from Jodhpur seat or Jalore-Sirohi seat in the Lok Sabha elections.

Similarly, Congress leader Manvendra Singh, son of BJP leader Jaswant Singh, who is Barmer seat, spent the day in his village Jasol and met the members of all communities.

BJP and Congress supporters roped in Manganiyar folk singers to add the political hue to the festival in western Rajasthan.

To attract voters, singers went door-to-door to spread their message weaved in traditional lyrics of the popular songs. Interestingly, in the Assembly elections in December last year, members of both parties had used folksingers for canvassing.

In the BJP camp also aspiring candidates were seen spending time in their constituencies. Erstwhile former royal Diya Kumari, who has expressed her desire to contest from Jaipur urban or Sawai Madhopur, attended a few public functions on Holi. Similarly, former chief minister Vasundhara Raje's son Dushyant Singh, who is again expecting a ticket from Jhalawar, spent time interacting with people of his constituency.

In the BJP headquarter, the packets of colour labelled as "Shaurya Gulaal" and "Shaurya Rangotsav" were sold at the Atal Sahitya Kendra inside the party office.

Rajasthan campaign chief Ashish Jain said, on the festival of colours, the aim of the party is to spread the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's courage and "brave decisions" like the 2016 surgical strike and the Balakot air strike.

The 25 parliamentary constituencies of Rajasthan will go to polls in two phases. In the fourth phase, polling will be held in 13 constituencies on April 29. The rest of the 12 seats will vote on May 6 in the fifth phase.