Bhubaneswar: Ahead of his one-day visit to Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik on his 108th birth anniversary.
In a X post, the Prime Minister said: I pay homage to the legendary Biju Patnaik Ji on his birth anniversary. His visionary leadership and indomitable spirit continue to inspire generations. His contributions to our nation and his unwavering commitment to development are exemplary.”
Modi added that he was looking forward to being among the people of Odisha to inaugurate various projects in Chandikhole. “I will also address a @BJP4Odisha public meeting.”
Since his visit coincides with the birth anniversary of legendary leader, in whose memory BJD was founded, political circles here are abuzz with the possibility of the Centre acceding to the long-standing demand to confer Bharat Ratna, nation’s highest civilian award, on Biju Patnaik posthumously.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Bhubaneswar at 2.40 pm before directly proceeding to Chandikhol in Jajpur district by Mi-17 helicopter. He will lay foundation stones and inaugurate projects worth Rs 19,000 crore between 3.30 pm and 4 pm. He will also flag off a MEMU train on Haridashpur-Paradeep railway line. The passenger train services to coastal Kendrapada was a long-standing demand of the people in this region.
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Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is also expected to attend the programme, which has again set tongues wagging about a possible electoral alliance between BJP and BJD before the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state.
Also Read: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik To Attend PM Modi’s Chandikhole Programme Today
At around 4.15 pm, PM Modi will address a public meeting at Chandikhol. This will be his second public address ahead of the polls after a gap of almost one month. He had addressed a public meeting at Remed Ground in Sambalpur on February 3.
Winding up his around a little over 3 hours visit to Odisha, the Prime Minister will then leave for Kolkata at 5.50 pm.
