Bhubaneswar: In an effort to woo voters of Odisha ahead of the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, leaders of major political parties will make a beeline to the State in next few days. The political scene in Odisha has warmed up with the visit of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, who is slated to arrive here on February 9 on a two-day tour to the state.
Political analysts are of the opinion that the Rahul's visit will kick start Congress's poll campaign in Odisha ahead of BJP whose Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi will visit the State on February 11 and hold a public meeting here.
Congress insiders believe Rahul's trip could dilute the impact of Modi's trip, from which state BJP leaders are trying to gain maximum political mileage.
Elaborating on Rahul’s visit to Odisha, PCC President Jayadev Jena said after reaching Biju Patnaik International Airport here tomorrow morning, Rahul will visit an educational institute, where he is scheduled to interact with students for nearly an hour. He would then go to Salepur in Cuttack district for a public rally and return to Bhubaneswar, where he would stay at the state guesthouse for the night.
Next morning, Gandhi will hold discussions with people belonging to different minority groups in the city, followed by a party meeting here, Jena informed. Rahul last visited the state in February 2013, during which he held closed-door party meetings at Sambalpur and Cuttack.
Notably, this would be Rahul's first visit to the State since Jayadev Jena took over the reins of the state unit from Niranjan Patnaik in mid-May last year.
Meanwhile, Modi is scheduled to address Vijaya Vikalpa rally at Baramunda ground here on February 11 for which preparations are on full swing, state president KV Singhdeo said.
"We have made arrangements for party workers who will come from across the state to take part in the meeting. Though we have planned for two lakh people, the number could well be three lakh," BJP state president KV Singhdeo told reporters here.
Modi would be accompanied by BJP president Rajnath Singh and senior leader and former chief minister of Jharkhand Arjun Munda.
Singhdeo said Modi would arrive at 12.45 pm by air to address the rally at 1:00 pm before flying back.