Parties using radio to woo voters in J&K

BJP, which is making its first serious bid to get into power in the state is using an audio clip of Modi's address at a rally

Radio has emerged as the most favoured medium for politicians in election-bound Jammu and Kashmir to woo voters as the first-phase of Assembly polls in the state draw closer.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is making its first serious bid to get into power in Jammu and Kashmir, is using an audio clip of Prime Minister's Narendra Modi's address at a rally in Kargil during the inauguration of a power project there.

"Jammu and Kashmir can become a model of development for the entire country," Modi says in the clip which is being repeatedly aired on a private FM radio station since elections were announced in the state last month.

Even in other media like newspapers, the BJP has made Modi the face of its campaign as it has embarked on its 'Mission 44+', a reference to the number of seats required for a simple majority in the state Legislative Assembly.

Congress is also using the same Radio station but instead of using any particular leader as the face of the campaign, the party which ruled the state in coalition with National Conference for last six years, is banking on development works to garner support for its candidates.

"Which party constructed the four-lane road from Lakhanpur to Ladakh? Congress. Which party constructed tunnels at Chenani and Zojila to provide round the year road connectivity in the state? Congress. My vote only for Congress," the Congress advertisement says.

Opposition PDP had so far not taken to radio advertisements at party level but some party candidates from the urban constituencies were using the medium to woo the voters.