Parties Resort to Star Power For Polls in Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir

The run up to the Assembly elections in Jharkhand and Jammu and Kashmir saw political parties bring out their biggest guns.

While the BJP sought to extend its trailbalzing poll run, the Congress sought to reverse its sagging fortunes. The National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and other regional parties are looking to strengthen their elbow room.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is facing high levels of anti-incumbency, especially following his government's perceived failure to deal with the recent floods in the Valley.

Mr Abdullah had to face mob fury while capaigning in the Srinagar region.

Displaying the multi-cornered nature of the contest, Mr Abdullah accused the BJP of being hand-in-hand with separatist leaders.

National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, Congress and BJP are all fighting the polls by themselves.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first appearance at a campaign rally in Jammu and Kashmir, when he addressed a rally at Kishtwar.

Mr Modi targetted the two families that have ruled Jammu and Kashmir intermittently, and urged the people of the state to show that they could produce other leaders.

Other prominent BJP faces to campaign in Jammu and Kashmir included party president Amit Shah and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

See in this picture is PDP leader Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. The party too has campaigned aggressively, in a bid to benefit from the anti-incumbency and to ensure it does not lose ground to national parties.

The Congress, meanwhile, campaigned on the strength of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is its tallest leader in Kashmir.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi campaigned for her party at Bandipora.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi too raised the banner for his party, addressing a rally at Kupwara.

Jharkahand was another area that saw pitched campaign battles. Seen here: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an election rally at Chaibasa.

BJP president Amit Shah targetted the alliance between the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, calling it an 'unholy alliance'.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda remained a major face for the BJP. (Pictured here with Prime Minister Narendra Modi)

Rahul Gandhi, seen here breaking the security protocol to shake hands with supporters at Palamau, also campaigned in Jharkhand.

Sonia Gandhi too addressed a rally at Daltonganj.