Bhubaneswar: With twin polls less than a week away, the BJP is all set to unleash its campaign blitzkrieg in Odisha with visits by top national leaders this week, strategically aimed at propelling the government formation narrative in Odisha.
Prime Minister Narendra will hold a road show from Master Canteen Square to Vani Vihar Square in Bhubaneswar from 6 pm on May 10. Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, who is seeking re-election from the seat, has urged city denizens to participate in the event through an audio message.
Addressing a presser, state unit vice president Golak Mohapatra also informed that Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Vishnu Deo Sai will arrive in Odisha on May 8 on a two-day visit and address public meetings in Nabarangpur and Koraput. Similarly, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma will attend three public meetings in Malkangiri, Chitrakonda and Khallikote on May 9.
“These CMs will present a contrasting picture between BJP government in these two states and the BJD rule in Odisha,” he said.
He further said that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari will address a massive public rally in Krushna Prasad of Puri district on May 9. “He will speak about how BJD government’s non-cooperation has affected highway projects in the state, and thus, justify the need for a double-engine government here,” Mohapatra said.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will address two public meetings in Rayagada and Bhawanipatna on May 8, he added.
Party sources said that actress-turned-politician Hema Malini, who has been included in the revised star campaigner list for Odisha, may also campaign for the party in Berhampur on May 9.
Modi is also likely to address three public rallies in Kandhamal, Bargarh and Balangir on May 11.
The PM had addressed a mega rally in Berhampur on May 6 during which asserted that the BJP will form a government in Odisha and its CM will take oath in Bhubaneswar on June 10. BJP national president J P Nadda had also addressed a Vijay Sankalp Samavesh at Ambapua near Berhampur on April 28 after Union Minister Amit Shah kicked off the party’s campaign in the state on April 25 from Sonepur.
Besides lack of development in the state, national leaders have harped on the issue of Odia Asmita (Odia Pride) in a veiled attack on BJP leader V K Pandian in what appears to be a well-crafted election strategy.
Berhampur, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi and Koraput will be going to polls on May 13, the fourth phase nationwide and the first round of elections in Odisha.
