Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who kicked off party’s election campaign on Wednesday, is slated to hold poll rallies at 36 places of Odisha.
Party sources said Naveen will campaign in places under all the 21 Lok Sabha constituencies and assembly segments therein to bolster the prospects of BJD candidates.
With electioneering getting high-tech with a touch of glitz, the ruling party chief is expected to reach out to the people by travelling in a specially designed bus as done ahead of the 2019 elections.
During 2019 polls, Naveen had shunned traditional campaign mode and adopted a fully air-conditioned high-tech bus. The one crore bus customised for election campaign was fitted with a 16-tonne AC, hydraulic lift, bed, comfortable sofa, audio-visual set and washroom with modern toilet besides a conference hall and VSAT facility.
Equipped with internet and satellite TV, it resembled a luxury hotel room.
This time also, the regional party has reportedly arranged a customised vehicle for Naveen Patnaik to steer its campaign for the upcoming elections.
Amid soaring mercury level across the state, the CM would be spared the sweltering heat this time also. He can be lifted through the sun-roof in this bullet-proof bus and address the people.
Apart from BJD’s poll symbol, the customized vehicle displays the images of legendary leader Biju Patnaik, CM Naveen, V K Pandian, and party’s organisational secretary Pranab Prakash Das prominently.
The vehicle also displays the 5T initiative of the state government as the BJD supremo’s guarantee for transformation of Odisha.
Notably, the BJD president hit the campaign trail for the upcoming from Hinjili Assembly segment in Ganjam district, his home turf.
The Lok Sabha and Assembly polls will be held simultaneously in Odisha in four phases on May 13, 20, 25 and June 1. The counting of votes will be done on June 4.
