Indus Valley Times

Leaders lambasted the ruling BJD for its failure to bring prosperity to the state

By Sudam Patra

Balasore, 19: In its pursuit of securing power first time in Odisha, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is working overtime to reach out to voters in the state by highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for development and 25 years of alleged “misgovernance” of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

As part of its strategy, the Odisha unit of the BJP on Saturday held a mega roadshow and the party’s top leaders took charge of the campaign in Balasore.

State BJP president Manmohan Samal, BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda, Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha candidate Aparajita Sarangi, Sambalpur LS candidate Dharmendra Pradhan and senior leader and Balasore MP candidate Pratap Sarangi were part of the roadshow in Balasore.

After the roadshow, the senior BJP leaders held discussions and chalked out strategies with party leaders, candidates and workers.

The meeting assumed significance as the fourth phase election in the state is scheduled to be held in six places of Odisha, including Balasore on June 1. Sources said the top leaders gave final touches to the preparedness of the party ahead of the crucial polls.

“It is being said that a new strategy is being prepared by the BJP with an intention to give a push to its mission to form a government in Odisha.

During the roadshow, state BJP president Manmohan Samal said, “It is part of the party’s strategy to reach out to people with our manifesto with our pledge and vision. We are fighting the polls with all leaders of the party. The people of Odisha want change and they are supporting us. They want an end to the corrupt government in Odisha.”

According to Samal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier raised several issues including Odisha Asmita (pride), employment and other issues which are connected with the daily lives of the people.

All the leaders, while addressing a public meeting, lambasted the Naveen Patnaik government for its failure to bring prosperity to the state despite being in power for 24 years, rising rate of unemployment, atrocities on women and chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s over-reliance on bureaucrats to run the administration.

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Photograph: Odisha’s senior BJP leaders during a roadshow at Balasore on Saturday