Top Central leaders of BJP seem to be focusing heavily on Odisha ahead of the upcoming General Elections. Following the visit of Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, BJP National President JP Nadda and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have visited Odisha. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and PM Modi are again scheduled to visit the State in the coming days. BJP camp is excited over the development. Meanwhile, it is discussed in the political circles that the frequent visits of the heavyweight Union BJP leaders have posed as a major challenge for the ruling BJD. 

As per reports, BJP seems to be on its toes for ‘Mission Odisha’ as Central BJP leaders are headed to Odisha to campaign for the party candidates. They will impart the mantra of electoral success to the leaders and party workers.

Frequent visits of BJP stalwarts

PM Modi is scheduled to address a huge public meeting at Kanishi ground under Gopalpur Assembly constituency in Ganjam district on May 6. After that, Modi will address another public meeting at Chikili ground in Nabarangpur. The visits of the heavyweight leaders have left workers of the saffron party encouraged. 

"People are expecting that lots of developmental activities will be undertaken in the district after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit," said BJP's Berhampur Lok Sabha candidate Pradeep Panigrahi.

"Modi will be the first Prime Minister to come to Nabarangpur for election campaign. They are excited to see and listen Modi from close quarters. People are encouraged with the developmental work undertaken by the Modi government in the last 10 years. They also believe in Modi's guarantees. Preparations ahead of Modi's visit to the district are in the last stage," said BJP's Nabarangpur Lok Sabha candidate Balabhadra Majhi.

The PM’s visit will be followed by that of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who will address a rally in Rayagada on May 8.  Modi will visit Odisha again on May 10. During this visit, the PM will hold a huge road show in Bhubaneswar. The next day, he is scheduled to take part in party campaigns in Bolangir for the party's candidates on the following day. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the State again on May 12.

Earlier on Sunday, BJP National President JP Nadda released Odisha BJP’s long-awaited Sankalp Patra (election manifesto)  in Bhubaneswar. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also participated in a huge programme in Cuttack.

"PM Narendra Modi's visit will be followed by that of Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 8. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the State on May 12," said Odisha in-charge of the BJP Vijaypal Singh Tomar.

BJD apprehensive

As per political experts, BJD is getting apprehensive of the frequent visits of many heavyweight Central BJP leaders to the State. 

However, the ruling party stated that the visits of BJP Union leaders will hardly have any impact on voters. 

"Frequent visits of the BJP union leaders to the State will have no impact on the voters. They will vote in favour of BJD and the party will form government in Odisha again under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik," said BJD leader Nrusingha Charan Sahu.