Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president J P Nadda are scheduled to visit Odisha over the next few days to campaign for the upcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Modi is slated to address two political rallies in Berhampur and Nabarangpur Lok Sabha constituencies on Monday. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will also embark on a two-day visit to the state from Saturday, during which he will meet intellectuals and journalists.
Nadda, who had addressed a rally in Berhampur on April 28, will again visit Odisha on Sunday to chalk out election strategies. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had launched the BJP's election campaign in Odisha on April 25 from Sonepur. Simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections will be held in Odisha in four phases from May 13.
The BJP is hoping to make significant gains in Odisha in the upcoming elections. The party has been steadily increasing its vote share in the state in recent years, and it believes that it can finally break the Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) hold on power. The BJD has been in power in Odisha for the past 20 years, and it is the only major regional party in the state.
The BJP is confident that it can win over voters with its message of development and good governance. The party has also been highlighting the failures of the BJD government, such as the state's high poverty rate and its poor infrastructure.
The BJP is also hoping to benefit from the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi is a very popular figure in Odisha, and the BJP believes that his presence in the state will help to boost the party's chances of winning.
The BJD is not taking the BJP's challenge lightly. The party has been campaigning aggressively, and it is confident that it can retain power. The BJD is highlighting its record of development and good governance, and it is also appealing to voters on the basis of regionalism.
The BJD is also hoping to benefit from the popularity of its leader, Naveen Patnaik. Patnaik is a very popular figure in Odisha, and the BJD believes that his presence in the state will help to boost the party's chances of winning.
The upcoming elections in Odisha are likely to be very close. Both the BJP and the BJD are strong contenders, and it is difficult to say which party will emerge victorious. The outcome of the elections will have a significant impact on the political landscape of Odisha.