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BJP National President JP Nadda's meeting assumed significance as two more phases of polling-third phase on May 25 and the fourth phase on June 1- are still to go in Odisha. 

Campaigning for the third phase of elections in Odisha ended on Thursday. On May 25, six Lok Sabha and 42 Assembly seats will go to polls amid elaborate security arrangements with focus on sensitive booths.

In a surprising turn of events during the last day of campaigning for the third phase elections in Odisha, BJD MLA Jitu Mitra joined BJP candidate Aparajita Sarangi's rally in Khordha. Mitra, denied a BJD ticket this time, expressed his support for the BJP, indicating a significant political shift.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent roadshow saw massive turnout, while Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s events had noticeably thinner crowds. This shift suggests rising popularity for Modi and a waning interest in Patnaik.

BJP leader Samir Mohanty claimed that Odisha's CM Naveen Patnaik is being held hostage, citing suspicious AI-generated videos featuring Patnaik. He also expressed concerns over 'bureaucratic control over governance.'

Just before the third phase polling in Odisha, Rs 84,000 was seized from the vehicle of Sabitri Sethi, wife of BJD's MLA candidate Anandapur Assembly seat, Abhimanyu Sethi.

The BJP has lodged a complaint with the Odisha CEO against BJD's Pranab Prakash Das for alleged MCC violations in Sambalpur.

A severe cyclonic storm forming over the Bay of Bengal is expected to impact Bangladesh and West Bengal by May 26 but will not have a direct effect on Odisha, as per IMD Bhubaneswar.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat, Aparajita Sarangi targeted Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday again, saying, "The Chief Minister could not furnish evidence on the allegations brought against me over developmental works in Bhubaneswar.”

While addressing a public meeting at Banpur under the Puri Lok Sabha segment, Yogi Adityanath attacked the Naveen Patnaik-led government in Odisha. Alleging that the CM here is surrounded by officers, Yogi Adityanath said that they are hijacking central schemes of the PM Narendra Modi-led government.

The system is very likely to continue to move northeastwards, intensify further into a cyclonic storm over eastcentral Bay of Bengal by May 25 (morning).

BJP National President JP Nadda claimed that the people of Odisha are set to elect BJP for all 21 Lok Sabha seats and expressed their desire for a change from Naveen Patnaik's leadership. He highlighted Modi's contributions to development and tribal welfare, criticized the BJD government's neglect of tribals and the poor, and questioned the governance model under current leadership, emphasizing the need for local leadership in state governance.

While addressing a public meeting, Yogi Adityanath appealed to people to vote for MP candidate Baijayant Panda and other BJP candidates contesting from various Assembly constituencies.

The IMD has issued a pre-cyclone watch for West Bengal as a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal is set to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by May 26. IMD scientist Umashankar Dash noted the system will move northeastwards, intensifying over time.