3D rallies, cellphone to woo voters for April 24 election

GUWAHATI: With campaigning for the third and final phase of the Lok Sabha election in Assam at its peak, leaders are leaving no stone unturned to reach out to voters before canvassing is brought to an end.
If BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi addressed people at Bilasipara in the Dhubri Lok Sabha constituency with the help of 3D technology, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief Badruddin Ajmal is relying on the humble cellphone to make his prese nce felt.
Modi addressed an election rally at Bilasipara on Thursday evening by simulating his virtual presence in front of voters with the help of 3D technology. BJP has roped in its prominent leaders to campaign for the third phase of polls in Assam on April 24.
Dhubri, Mangaldoi, Kokrajhar, Nagaon, Barpeta and Guwahati Lok Sabha constituencies will go to the polls in the third phase. While Modi will address rallies on Saturday as well, AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi will campaign in the state on the same day.
On Thursday, Ajmal addressed two election rallies in Dhubri, the constituency he currently represents, with the help of his cellphone after he failed to turn up at the venues following a snag in his chopper.
AIUDF leaders said the chopper developed a problem after Ajmal finished his rally at Chirakuti, also in the same constituency, on Thursday. He was supposed to fly to Atani and Khopatia for electioneering, but as he could not go to the two places, he addressed the voters on his cellphone while travelling via car to another venue.
"Party workers at Atani and Khopatia held their cellphones in front of loud speakers so that people could hear Ajmal speaking to them. People in these places were happy with the arrangement," said AIUDF secretary Haidor Hussain Bora.
Ajmal is leading AIUDF's poll campaign in the constituencies where the party has fielded candidates. Though his brother Sirajuddin, who is contesting from Barpeta, and his two sons are also campaigning along with party legislators, sources said Ajmal is the star campaigner and the most sought-after leader in places where AIUDF has a strong support base. AIUDF leaders said Ajmal addresses four to five rallies everyday.
"We are not a rich party. So, we have to use humble tools like cellphones to maximize our impact," an AIUDF leader said.