Bhubaneswar/Bijepur: With the day for byelection to Bijepur assembly segment approaching, the BJD and BJP have hit the campaign trail with different strategies to entice voters. Similarly, the Congress party, which has capitalised the issues of farmers and farming community, will start canvassing from Saturday.
BJD's Rita Sahu accompanied by Labour Minister Sushant Singh, Sports Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera amid hundreds of supporters on Thursday sought votes from people in Laumunda of Bijepur block with a promise to fulfil the dreams of her husband and former MLA late Subal Sahu.
"My aim is to reach people with the success of CM Naveen Patnaik. I am sure that people would give me a chance to fulfil the dreams of my husband," Rita Sahu said.
BJD has planned to cover 60 panchayats under the constituency in phased manner, Labour Minister Sushant Singh said. CM Naveen Patnaik will seek votes for party nominee on February 19 and 21 in Barpali and Bijepur blocks respectively.
Similarly, BJP candidate Ashok Panigrahi, who had represented Bijepur from 2000 to 2004, campaigned in Sindherapali under Gaisilet block on Thursday and approached the voters to give another opportunity to complete his unfulfilled works for the constituency. He has made the success story of PM Modi as main weapon.
"Our chief aim is to take forward the development process, which has halted mid-way. We are making people aware about various welfare activities of Modi government," Panigrahi said.
On the other hand, armed with farmers' issues, the Congress party will kick-start its campaign from Saturday. Especially, government's failure in tackling drought and lack of irrigation facility will remain in the prime focus of the grand old party.
"I am basically from a farmer's family. I have been fighting for the welfare of farmers. So, my primary focus is on the issues related to agriculture," Congress candidate Pranay Sahu said.