January 15: Thanks to the Rashtriya Janata Party (RJP), a large number of stars from Bollywood and the cricket world will add colour to the otherwise dull election scenario in Gujarat.The list of campaigners for the party is expected to be a heady one, including stars from the past and present. While Juhi Chawla, Shabana Azmi and Asha Parekh are the probables, there are reports that the bindaas Pooja Bhatt may also pitch in her bit. That could well be her way of saying thanks to RJP chief Shankersinh Vaghela for making her production Tamanna tax free. The list of actors has not been finalised, but Raj Babbar is sure to lend help to Vaghela. The RJP is also keen to rope in popular cricket stars. The name of Ajay Jadeja, vice-captain of the Indian team, tops the list. It is not known, however, whether Jadeja will be able to make it.
Top leaders from other parties like Railway Minister Ram Vilas Paswan and Defence Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav will actively campaign for the RJP. For some
reason, the party leadership has decided not to seek help from former Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav.
A team of professionals is working overtime to draft some 30 to 35 catchy slogans. The theme of the slogans will depict the party as pro-poor.
"The very purpose of this exercise is to leave a definite impression in the minds of the people (who are fed up of repeated elections) without taxing them with long and boring speeches," says RJP think-tank Vishnu Pandya.
The visual media will also be made good use of. According to the strategy, eight documentaries have been prepared to be shown on cable channels all over the State. These documentaries will emphasise on the Vaghela-Parikh Government's works and project Vaghela as pan-Gujarat leader.
"We are a party with a positive attitude and constructive approach. Our effort will be to impress upon the people that the country should not be subjected to the oft-repeated khichdi Governments. Hence the President should take the initiative to
bring stability at the Centre," he said.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
