Parties undertake rigorous poll campaign in Amravati

AMRAVATI: All the political parties have undertaken rigorous campaigning with only one week to go for the elections to Amravati Municipal Corporation (AMC).
Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad will be the star campaigners for the Congress while deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar will be canvassing for NCP. BJP's star campaigners are not known as yet. Azad will address meetings at Pathan Square and old Badnera, said MLA Raosaheb Shekhawat.Chavan will address a meeting in Gadge Baba Samadhi Mandir locality on Saturday. MPCC president Manikrao Thakre will be present.
Pawar is scheduled to address meetings on February 12, said former MLA Sulbha Khodke.
It would be interesting to see who would be on the target during the campaigning of Chavan and Pawar as Congress and NCP have decided to fight against each other. BJP-Sena and RPI have made an alliance for AMC polls. It is not known as yet who would be the star campaigner for BJP. However, the party said that state president Sudhir Mungantiwar will address meetings in various parts of the city.
The political atmosphere has hot up with the candidates engaging themselves in rigorous door-to-door campaigning and conducting rallies. The parties have been leaving no stone unturned to woo voters. However, star campaigners are expected to play a crucial role in drawing crowds.
Liquor coupons to woo voters
Political parties are known to find innovative ways, especially during election period, to woo voters and keep the workers' spirit alive. Some parties have distributed free coupons to their activists and voters by which they can enjoy free liquor at the bars and from shops. It is no surprise then that bars and liquor shops are literally 'inundated' with people these days.
Instead of giving money, some political parties have been issuing red, yellow and green coupons to voters and activists for getting free alcohol. Sources said that the 'beneficiaries' can get alcohol up to Rs 500 on yellow card, up to Rs 1,000 on red card and up to Rs 2,000 on green card.
However, police commissioner Amitesh Kumar has taken the issue seriously. He called a meeting of bar owners on Wednesday and instructed them to prohibit the coupon practice.