Bhubaneswar: With the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha fast approaching, leaders of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) celebrated Holi festival in a unique style as they geared up the twin polls.
While BJP leaders celebrated the festival of colours at the state party headquarters in Bhubaneswar in a grand way, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has been fielded from Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat, joined the celebrations in the western Odisha city.
Extending warm greetings on the joyous occasion of Holi to the people of the state, Dharmendra expressed hope that the BJP-led government will return to power at the Centre.
Senior BJP leaders in Bhubaneswar asserted that Odisha as well as the country will celebrate ‘Maha Holi’ again on June 4 when the results will be announced of Lok Sabha polls.
They said the country will celebrate Holi again with the resolution of ‘Vikasit Bharat’ under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “May this Holi bring joy and peace in everyone’s life. We are celebrating Holi today but on June 4, the country will celebrate Maha Holi again with the resolution of ‘Vikasit Bharat’ under the leadership of PM Modi,” said a BJP leader.
Asserting that BJP will storm into power in Odisha after the elections, senior leader Jagannath Pradhan said that the people of Odisha are keen to bring a political change. The state is all set to witness ‘double-engine’ government this time as BJP will be in power both at the centre and in Odisha, he claimed.
Dharmendra, who offered prayer at the temple of Maa Samaleswari, celebrated Holi with party leaders and workers in Sambalpur. He smeared dry and wet colours on party leaders.
While BJP office in Bhubaneswar witnessed grand celebrations with party leaders smearing each other with colours, state party president Manmohan Samal celebrated the festival in Chandbali area of Bhadrak district.
Similar scenes were also witnessed at Sankha Bhavan, the BJD headquarters in the state capital. Top leaders including Minister Ashok Chandra Panda, former Minister Sanjay Das Burma, MLAs Pranab Balabantaray and Devi Ranjan Tripathy and Bhubaneswar Mayor Sulochana were among those to joined the celebrations with enthusiasm and joy.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also greeted the people on the occasion Holi and wished that this holy festival of colours fills everyone’s life with mutual love, harmony and goodwill.
Asserting that party workers are gearing up for the twin elections, Panda said the festival of colours will endow them with more enthusiasm. Holi also provides an opportunity for the party workers and leaders to work unitedly forgetting all differences, said Panda and Das Burma.
While Holi serves as a poignant juncture for us to rejuvenate our bonds, this time the festival is special as it comes ahead of elections, they said, adding that BJD will emerge stronger and more united after celebrating the festival of colours.
