Back-to-back visits by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders to Odisha have rekindled the party’s hope of winning more seats in Odisha in general election to be held in 2024.
Following the visit of Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP Prabhari (In-charge) of Odisha Sunil Bansal, seven heavyweights from the party are set to visit the state over next two days.
According to sources, Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reached Bhubaneswar on Friday. Arjun Munda after reaching Bhubaneswar left for Jajpur where he received a rousing welcome by the district unit of the party. Munda is scheduled have a meeting with the district administration regarding execution of central schemes in the district.
Later in the day, Minister of State, Home Nityanand Rai and National Vice President of BJP Baijayant Panda and BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra reached Odisha. Also, Union Minister for Environment Bhupendra Yadav, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu will be reaching Odisha shortly on Friday.
That’s not all. One more name is there in the list. Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Nisith Pramanik will arrive in Odisha on Saturday.
While Bhupendra Yadav will visit Puri to meet BJP activists, Nityanand Rai will review organisational activities in Cuttack.
Nityanand Rai said, “Keeping organisational interests in view, BJP leaders keep visiting different parts of the country. Besides, we do pay visits to review implementation of schemes sponsored by centre. Be it election or not, visit of BJP leaders always continues.”
Arjun Munda said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has an aim to celebrate 100 years of free India when the entire country should be prospered completely which includes development of all.”
Congress MLA Sura Routray said, “Three political parties are ready for general election. It seems as if elections will be held in 2023 instead of 2024. The BJP is trying its best to make their party number one. I must say BJP is gone. If Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJD will face the same fate. Congress is coming.”
BJD MLA Sashibhusan Behera said, “We don’t have issue with frequent visits to Odisha’s BJP Prabhari and national Vice President. But when it comes to central ministers, it should be seen whether they are coming for their party’s interest or coming for the sake of Odisha’s all-round development. If they have some political intention behind it, they will be disappointed.”