Elections 2019: Political parties in campaign mode to woo voters

Bhubaneswar: Apparently battling with anti-incumbency mood in the State, the BJD is all set to go for a high-tech and larger voter outreach campaign this elections.

In a change of strategy, BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will hold extensive road shows touching every constituency and canvass votes for party candidates.

As per the blueprint prepared by the party, the BJD has procured a specially designed bus with modern facilities, which Patnaik will board on to tour constituencies, said sources. This looks quite significant when during panchayat polls, CM boarded helicopters for extensive campaigning in districts. From air-borne camapigning to road show speaks all.

Moreover, the ruling party has adopted a high-tech hologram campaign, where Patnaik could not reach the areas personally. The BJD seems to have been borrowing heavily from Modi camapign style in this 2019 elections.

“Definitely the Chief Minister will tour constituencies during the poll campaign. The hologram campaign is the party’s new initiative through which the CM will virtually deliver his speech,” said Pratap Deb, BJD spokesperson.

On the other hand, BJP is not behind in the poll campaign. With an aim to accomplish ‘Mission 120+’ target, the saffron party will be banking on PM Narendra Modi and its national president Amit Shah.

After his public meeting in Jeypore on March 29, the PM will hold poll campaign meetings in Kalahandi and Sundergarh on April 2 and April 6, respectively. After addressing self-help groups on the Women’s Day and 25,000 chowkidars, the PM today held video-conference campaign at 500 places across the country. Similarly, Shah will visit Gajapati and Nabarangpur districts tomorrow.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said PM Modi, national president president Amit Shah, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior BJP leaders will be the star campaigners for BJP in the State.

Meanwhile, Congress is working hard to reassert its position in the political scene of the State. AICC president Rahul Gandhi, who visited Odisha thrice in past two months, is scheduled to tour again on April 4. During his earlier visits, Gandhi tried to make people-to-people connect with the Bhubaneswar Town Hall programme.

“Priyanka Gandhi is likely to visit the State. Besides, senior leaders and CMs of Congress-ruled States will hold meetings in State. And Congress will register win in the upcoming polls,” said Anant Sethi, PCC vice president.

However, only May 23 will tell which party has convinced and charmed the electorate of the State.