Bhubaneswar: As the State is coming to terms with the new normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Opposition parties in Odisha today slammed Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik for his virtual campaigning for Tirtol Assembly bypoll.
BJP leader and Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi said that if a Chief Minister of a State holds virtual rallies without reaching out to people, it's surprising and laughable.
"Virtual rally? It's laughable. I urge the party which has been at the helm for over 20 years now to reach out to people, and listen to their problems & grievances," said Sarangi.
Senior Congress leader and MLA Sura Routray said, "What can the CM tell or reply when he is just staying inside home. Prices of onion, potato, pulses and vegetable are on a steep rise. Both the BJD and BJP have secret nexus; it is Congress' time now."
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The BJP supremo today kicked off his virtual campaigning and expressed his inability to attend the rally in person due to COVID-19 restrictions. He also praised the works of the Mission Shakti workers in Tirtol and highlighted the development works undertaken in the region.
Meanwhile, the BJP and the Congress have now turned to full-throttle door-to-door campaigning. Apart from Aparajita Sarangi, BJP MP Pratap Sarangi was also seen campaigning in Balasore for their party candidate for the Balasore Sadar bypoll.
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