The shrill and cacophony of campaigning, marred by heavy snowfall, for the state's maiden assembly elections on February 14 came to an end on Tuesday evening.
The curtain on an otherwise low-key electioneering was rung down after the leading campaigners of both the ruling BJP and Opposition Congress crisscrossed the length and breadth of the state in a bid to woo an electorate of 52,53433 in the fledgling state that came into existence on Nov 9, 2000.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee addressed two impressive rallies in Dehra Dun and Haldwani accusing the Congress of raking up the coffin scandal to demoralise the Army who were guarding the borders at a crucial time.
While Congress president Sonia Gandhi charged the NDA government at the Centre of losing its balance on the issue. However, largely regional issues like Tehri Dam dominated the electioneering in the state which was marred by heavy snowfall that forced several political leaders including Gandhi to cancel election rallies.

Bureau Report