MOTHER INDIA? Jayaprada fights to fit into the role of a lifetime

Who said politics was easy? Ask Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who has had to record personalised messages for 140 BJP candidates so far. There are another 200 to go and these are all part of the final burst of marketing on the BJP's part before the nation goes to the polls. The print campaign emphasises the work to be done-hum ab rukenge nahin (we shall not stop). The TV campaign says Atal=Stability.

Clearly stung by the overkill on India Shining, the new campaign now insists that the BJP has delivered a lot in every sector (roads, telecom, power, water) but it needs five more years and a mazboot janadesh (a stronger mandate) in the Lok Sabha to fulfil all its promises.

Grey Worldwide and Crayons have done their bit for the campaign which is created almost entirely in-house at the BJP war room situated in General Secretary Pramod Mahajan's Delhi home-occasionally Coca-Cola man Prasoon Joshi also helps.

The catchline accompanying the slogan to vote for the BJP is, "Sau crore chalenge, mahashakti banenge (if a billion march, a superpower will emerge)". That is not to say that the party's TV campaign will not attack the Congress or its top leader (her experience and her ability). Where there is saffron, there is bound to be a sting.

-By Kaveree Bamzai

MANIFESTOS
Glimpses of the New World

MOTHER INDIA? Jayaprada fights to fit into the role of a lifetime

India and the US are pursuing the next steps in their strategic partnership but both the NDA's and the Congress' foreign policy manifestos are unanimous in downplaying this crucial relationship. While the NDA, which actually crafted the strategic ties with the US, prefers to call it "multi-dimensional" the real story is the shift in the "world view" of the Congress. From the ideological NAM-centric view personified by the likes of K. Natwar Singh, there are winds of change evident in the stamp of pragmatists such as J.N. Dixit. If the NDA manifesto focuses overly on the Islamabad joint statement with Pakistan, the Congress wants to return to the Shimla Accord and the "understanding" that legitimised the loc. The Congress has taken a swipe at the NDA over US-Pakistan ties. The NDA wants to steer clear of it. And, it has focused on energy security, which the Congress has given the go-by. Both parties are vague on specifics. The Congress has attacked the opacity of the national security set up. Russia is favoured by both while relations with Japan have been given a boost. The NDA's love affair with the diaspora may continue since it doesn't even find a mention in the Congress document.

-By Indrani Bagchi

APRIL 6, GUWAHATI, ASSAM: The PM hits the Northeast as part of the grand carpet bombing campaign.
Poll point: To carry the message that his party is not north India-centred.

APRIL 7, RAJAMUNDRY, ANDHRA PRADESH: It is time to appease a key ally. He shares dais with Chandrababu Naidu.
Poll point: Seeks support for TDP.

APRIL 10, BUXAR, BIHAR: Kicks off the poll campaign in the state.
Poll point: Plays the patriarch's role.

APRIL 13, BANGALORE: PM appeals to the people to unseat the state Government.
Poll point: Pledges to solve water crisis.

"The BJP regards Muslims as Indians and human beings."
A.B. Vajpayee, Prime Minister in Bangalore

APRIL 6, RAE BARELI, UTTAR PRADESH: Files her nomination papers.
Poll point: Changes her constituency so that son Rahul Gandhi can fight from the family bastion.

APRIL 10, JAGDALPUR, CHHATTISGARH: Was in the area to campaign for the leader of the Opposition in the state, Mahendra Karma, from Bastar.
Poll point: Tribals will get special treatment, promises promotion of their rights in a Congress regime.

APRIL 13, ASSAM: Campaigns in upper regions of Assam.
Poll point: To ensure local support.

"Deport foreigners, but don't harass genuine citizens."
Sonia Gandhi, Congress President in Guwahati