As the campaigning for the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in the State gather steam, various cities across Odisha are witnessing high-voltage campaignings by the candidates and supporters of different political parties to woo voters. The star-studded shows also marked by many political bigwigs hitting the ground.
The elections to three municipal corporations and 106 ULBs, including 47 municipalities and 59 NACs, will be held on March 24, 2022. While 569 candidates are in fray for the Mayoral and Municipality Chairman posts, as many as 5,842 candidates are locking horns for Councillor and Corporator posts.
Mainly, the three political parties-BJD, BJP and Congress are leaving no stones unturned in reaching out to the electorate with their high-voltage political campaigns through different mediums. They have formed special strategies to woo the urban educated voters. Most of the candidates have taken the musical route by preparing special campaigning songs to set the poll tune. Major political parties have turned to digital mode by making virtual rallies to attract the voters. Many candidates are also taking to social media platforms to draw the attention of the people with their witty posts.
BJD has appointed local and senior party leaders as well as district observers in all the cities to coordinate the party campaigning in an organised manner.
Party sources said Mayor and Municipality Chairman candidates are campaigning along with Corporator and Councilor candidates. They will make people aware about various developmental schemes undertaken by the State government. Though many heavyweights have hit the ground, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will not be campaigning for the party.
“Since Covid-19 restrictions have been relaxed and little time is left, our party leaders have been told to organise meetings, rallies and road shows at various cities to influence the voters,” said senior BJD leader Devi Prasad Mishra.
Meanwhile, the BJP has also turned the heat on the rival camp with planned and organised campaigns. Under the stewardship of Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, the BJP candidates are reaching out to people in various Wards and making them aware of the failures of the ruling party.
“Union Ministers Bishweswar Tudu, Dharmendra Pradhan and BJP National Vice-President Baijayant Jay Panda are likely to hit the poll campaign trail soon. With our star campaigners and door-to-door canvassing, we are confident to convince people to vote for BJP,” said party senior leader Mohan Majhi.
Though Congress appears to be on little back foot to field suitable candidates at a few seats, the grand old party has intensified its campaigning under the stewardship of local leaders and district presidents.
“We will organise door-to-door campaigns, road shows and meetings to influence people to vote in our favour,” said senior Congress leader Ganeswar Behera.