Bhubaneswar: With the nearing of first phase polling day, the BJP is leaving no stone unturned for campaigning in favour of its candidates. The saffron party has lined up its star campaigners starting from PM Narendra Modi to Home Minister Amit Shah and a train of national level leaders.
The Prime Minister has already held rallies in Berhampur and Nabarangpur Lok Sabha seats and is scheduled for more campaigning before the first round of polls in Odisha on May 13. Shri Modi is all set to hold a roadshow in Bhubaneswar on May 10 and possibly address an election rally in Bolangir on May 11.
Addressing a press conference here, Odisha BJP vice-president Golak Mohapatra informed that Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai will arrive in the state on May 8 on a two-day visit and address public meetings in Nabarangpur and Koraput.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is also slated to address public meetings in different parts of the State, he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari are also scheduled to address public meetings, highlighting issues such as highway projects and the need for a ‘double-engine’ Government in Odisha.
“Gadkari ji will explain reasons why a double-engine government is needed in Odisha which lacks basic development due to non-cooperation of BJD, there have been hindrances in the development of highways,” said Mohapatra.
Furthermore, the BJP has enlisted actress-turned-politician Hema Malini as one of its star campaigners, expected to join the campaign trail in Berhampur.
At his Berhampur and Nabarangpur poll rallies, PM has clearly explained how the BJD government has failed to provide basic amenities, including drinking water to its people in Odisha. Hence, the Prime Minister asserted that there is a need for a BJP’s double-engine Government to speed up developmental works here, the BJP leader added.
While the BJP rallies its national leaders and ministers for campaigning in Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and 5T Chairman V K Pandian have been actively touring the State and campaigning for party candidates.
Shri Pandian held roadshows in different parts of the State and attracting large number of women and youth, said a party spokesperson.
The Congress is lagging behind in the campaigning. So far, Rahul Gandhi has addressed only a single rally in Cuttack district. Though Gandhi was scheduled to address a public meeting in Rayagada, but, he cancelled the tour at the last moment.