Bhubaneswar: It seems that coastal Odisha is now on the radar of major political parties including BJP and BJD ahead of the 2019 elections as both parties are leaving no stones upturned to reach out to voters highlighting each other's lacunae.
Politics has already heated up in the State ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Cuttack on May 26 to address a public meeting, which has been termed as Jan Jagran Samavesh by the BJP. Modi will be highlighting the achievements of the BJP-led government to mark completion of four years in office.
To counter BJP's Jan Jagran Samavesh, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is organising a massive public rally at Biju Maidan in Paradip tomorrow where its Mahanadi Surakhsha Abhiyan will culminate.
It is worth mentioning that the BJD has preponed the scheduled event in an attempt to pacify the effect of Modi's visit and Jan Jagran Samavesh.
Life size posters of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik now dot every nook and cranny of Cuttack and Paradip town, respectively while the leaders are making all out efforts to make the programmes of their respective parties a success.
"PM Modi will speak on Odisha context and investments made for development of roads, rail and connectivity. The party will showcase all the achievements in Odisha soil," said Union Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan.
On the other hand, BJD targeted Modi ahead of his visit with former minister and senior BJD leader, Damodar Rout stating "Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be addressing a meeting organised on Mahanadi River bed while he has been unconstitutionally supporting Chhattisgarh which is throttling Mahanadi water; it reflects arrogance & is like adding insult to injury."
The ongoing tug of war between BJD and BJP has provided fodder to the Congress which is trying its best to reorganise itself before elections next year. Congress leaders have criticised both the BJD and BJP ahead of their massive show of strength in the state.
"Both BJP and BJD are dipped in corruption and Congress will expose both the parties," said Congress leader and Opposition chief whip, Taraprasad Bahinipati.