A day after Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah stated that there will be a direct contest with Naveen Patnaik in Odisha; the party’s national vice-president and Kendrapara Lok Sabha candidate, Baijayant Panda on Saturday stated that the stance of the party’s leadership was very clear since long.
"It was the BJD which tried to create confusion in the minds of the people. The people already know the outcome of the direct fight," the senior BJP leader said adding that not much interpretation is now needed after Amit Shah Ji’s statement.
Hailing Shah for his strategies, Panda said that the BJP has been able to register success by winning 282 and 303 seats in the Parliament. This time, the nation wants to see Narendra Modi as Prime Minister for the third time with over 400 seats, he said.
“There was clarity among the leadership and it was the BJD that tried to create confusion through media and other sources. The people already know what will be the outcome of a direct fight with the BJD. There is anti-incumbency against the ruling party and the BJP’s popularity has increased, “said Panda.
The senior BJP leader said that there was outrage among people and workers when the matter of coalition came to the fore. Amit Shah has clarified that the BJP is committed to the development of the nation and Odisha.
“Odia is our mother tongue and BJP will work to uphold its dignity. Nobody will tolerate if Lord Jagannath is carried in rickshaws,” said Panda.
BJP to Intensify Campaigning in Odisha
Starting from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, JP Nadda, popular CMs- Yogi Adityanath, Himanta Biswa Sarma and others will visit Odisha to campaign for the 2024 elections.
“There will be a mega campaign in Odisha. On the other hand, the ruling party's campaigning is being done virtually and through AI. All know that the BJD leaders have not given bytes rather it has been generated through computers. All aspects are going in favour of the BJP and things will change in the next 40-45 days,” Panda added.
Meanwhile, the BJD leaders could not be contacted over the matter.