Candidates line up star campaigners

“We have urged party chief Sonia Gandhi to hold a public rally in Pune and other leaders will arrive for campaigns starting tomorrow,” Congress spokesperson Satish Desai said.

There is no confirmation yet on Sonia Gandhi’s rally but Congress leader Buta Singh will address an All India Safai Kamgar rally in Congress Bhavan while Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal will address a rally at Ghorpadi in support of Kalmadi. Many more personalities from various fields will campaign for the Congress candidate,Desai said,among them Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit who,he said,is confident of making it to Pune.

As for film stars,efforts are being made but they are yet to be confirmed. The BJP hopes to rope in senior party leaders along with film stars-turned-politicians. Smriti Irani and Hema Malini are almost certain to come,a BJP leader said,adding that the final plan will be declared on Friday.

The BSP is trying to bring party chief Mayawati to the city. “She held a rally in Mumbai and will conduct a series of rallies in other parts of state. We have asked her to hold one in Pune,” a BSP leader said. The party has also asked film stars to campaign for its candidate but is keeping the names secret to avoid pressure on the stars from other parties,he said.

Independent candidate Vikram Bokey beat the rest. He got his election campaign office inaugurated by Nana Patekar. “I am not sure on getting Patekar back for campaigning,but will definitely try,” Bokey said.