A song for the potholes, courtesy Modi

Now leaders in Madhya Pradesh are resorting to parodies of films and television serials to woo the voters.

Taking off on the popular Hindi song Phoolon ki rani, baharon ki, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi sang at a rally: "O gaddon ke raja, o bijli ke dushman, tera muskurana gajab ho gaya. Na bus road par hai, na truck road par hai, kafilon ka yun rukna gajab ho gaya (King of potholes, enemy of power, your smile is indeed wonderful, for there are no buses or trucks on the road and traffic has come to a standstill)."

In Dhar, Modi recalled the name of a popular serial on freedom fighters Kahan Gaye Woh Log (Where have those people gone) and said, now when people talk about Madhya Pradesh, they ask "Kahan gaye woh road (Where have those roads gone)."

Pooh-poohing the Congress claims that it has fulfilled 97 per cent of promises made in its last poll manifesto, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani sarcastically remarked at a public rally: "But it left out three per cent of important promises -- power, roads and water."

"It appears that in the 100 marks of the question paper, the government attempted only those questions which carried 30 marks but left the important questions carrying 70 marks," Advani said.

Hitting back, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi told a poll meeting at Khargone district: "Jai Shri Ram kehne wali party ke neta ab jai Shri bhrastachar ka nara lagate hai. (Victory to corruption is the new slogan of those who used to chant victory to Lord Ram)."

A Congress advertisement highlighting the recent sting operation in Chhattisgarh described the BJP as 'Bangaru Judeo Party'.

Similarly with a view to cash in on the power crisis the BJP has had put up large 'lanterns' at strategic points to 'warn people of the Congress attempt to take the state to the dark ages'.

Congress leaders, however, claim the move has backfired as the ploy has only served as an advertisement for Laloo Prasad Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal, whose election symbol is the lantern.