BJP candidates want Sidhu as campaigner

RAIPUR: With less than two weeks left for the first phase of assembly polls for 39 seats, candidates of Chhattisgarh's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have rushed demands to have cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sidhu campaign for them.

BJP sources said the state party headquarters have received various proposals since Nov 1 seeking at least one public rally by Sidhu in their constituencies.

"Almost all the candidates are literally begging for a Sidhu rally and the state unit has communicated the feelings to the central leadership," BJP insiders said.

After Sidhu, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is in high demand followed by party's prime ministerial candidate L.K. Advani and party president Rajnath Singh.

The Maoist-infested state goes to polls in two phases - Nov 14 and 20 - to elect a new 90 member state assembly.

The Election Commission has set up 20,952 polling stations in Chhattisgarh where 15,207,734 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise.

The state has 29 seats reserved for the Scheduled Tribe (ST) and 10 seats for the Scheduled Caste (SC) category candidates.