Bargarh: Get ready to witness a high-voltage campaign for the Bijepur bypoll as star campaigners of two major rival parties—BJP and BJD will hit the campaign trail on Wednesday.
BJD President and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to undertake a whirlwind tour of the district to campaign for party candidate Rita Sahu. Patnaik will address rallies in Barpali block on Wednesday and will hold another public meeting in Gaisilet, Padampur and Bijepur blocks of the constituency the next day.
"Wind is blowing in favour of BJD now. Voters are eagerly waiting for Chief Minister's visit to their areas," said BJD MLA, Arun Sahoo.
Union minister and popular TV actress Smriti Irani will be the star campaigner for BJP to counter the BJD. She will canvass for the party candidate Ashok Panigrahi in Gaisilet block on Wednesday, informed BJP legislature party chief KV Singh Deo.
Meanwhile, Gaisilet block was the epicentre of campaign today with leaders of three major parties canvassing in favour of their respective candidates.
Congress candidate Pranay Sahu along with OPCC chief Prasad Harichanda and other senior leaders including Srikant Jena, Narasingha Mishra were seen campaigning in bullock carts.
Similarly, Union Minister Jual Oram and actress Pinki Pradhan hit the campaign trail in the same block for BJP while BJD engaged Ollywood actor and MP Siddhant Mohapatra and Arindam in poll campaign today.