Godhra, December 9: A few convenient catchphrases are all it takes to sum up the thrust of the BJP’s campaigning in Godhra and other riot-affected areas in Panchmahals district: Hindu versus Muslim, Us versus Them.

Hear it from Forest Minister Prabhatsinh Chauhan, who recently addressed a rally in Kalol in the able company of former film star and current MoS Tourism and Culture, Vinod Khanna: ‘‘If you are a Hindu, vote for the BJP; if you are a Muslim, vote for the Congress’’.

All that the EC promised to crack down on can be heard at full volume here in Panchmahals. Campaigning ends Tuesday, and there has been no subtlety or sophistication here, no deference to the Prime Minister’s caution on ‘‘communal’’ campaigning.

So in Godhra, 35 km away from Kalol, Shivanand Maharaj, state representative of the VHP’s Margadarshak Mandal, warms up a small crowd with a blatantly anti-Muslim campaign before BJP’s Godhra candidate Haresh Bhatt takes over.

At another meeting in Godhra’s Bapunagar locality, Maharaj asks: ‘‘What if some of them are killed? Why should Sonia Gandhi come calling?’’ He compares those killed with kachra, garbage that has been cleared. ‘‘Give up air-conditioners and refrigerators for guns,’’ he recommends.

Bhatt’s throat has gone sore after all those campaign speeches, but his speech retains its shrill pitch: ‘‘I got a ticket only because of my Hindutva appeal. Reprisals occurred because of Godhra, the government resigned because of Godhra, elections were ordered because of Godhra, I was selected also because of Godhra... It’s a fight between Hindus and Muslims. We will take revenge for Feb 27 on Dec 12.’’

Later, Bhatt clarifies that he ‘‘did not speak of a fight between Hindus and Muslims but only said it was a dharmayudh’’.

Bhatt has shared a platform with Maharaj for three meetings, but he will not take responsibility for the VHP leader’s statements.

‘‘He is with the VHP. Sants are free to say anything. I met him for the first time at the venue by accident.’’ But surely the meetings were arranged well in advance? ‘‘Have you heard Muslim preachers speak in their locality? Go there, hear them, then question our language.’’

In Kalol, the VHP has pressed into service Prahlad Shastri, a sadhu from Pavagadh. His spiel: ‘‘The world media is targeting Godhra for obvious reasons. They want to know how a candidate selected for Hindutva credentials fares. Don’t let us down. Correct the impression that Godhra is Muslim dominated; they number less than 30,000.’’

In Lunawada, posters glorifying the incarceration of BJP candidate Kalubhai Maliwad have been posted in remote areas. Maliwad was acquitted in October after seven months in prison on charges of killing Muslims near Limbadiya Chokdi.

His posters run home the fact that despite his ‘‘innocence’’, he was arrested by the police under pressure from his rivals in the Congress.

While in Umreth and its neighbouring areas, BJP and VHP activists say they show villagers old and new CDs about the February 27 Sabarmati Express carnage.