Union Home Minister Amit Shah is all set to kick off the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) election campaign in Odisha today, focusing on the western strongholds of the state. Shah’s visit marks the beginning of a crucial phase in the political landscape of Odisha as the state gears up for simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections, scheduled to be held in phases from May 13.
Shah will address a public meeting at Sonepur, situated within the Bolangir Lok Sabha constituency in western Odisha. BJP state president Manmohan Samal confirmed Shah’s itinerary, stating that the home minister will arrive at Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda from Hyderabad around 3.45 pm. From there, he will travel to Sonepur in a helicopter. Shah is scheduled to address the rally at Rameswaram Stadium at 4.35 pm, according to party sources.
Emphasizing the significance of Shah’s campaign in western Odisha, BJP state vice-president Golak Mohapatra mentioned that all arrangements are in place for the public meeting. The BJP aims to capitalize on its strong performance in the region during the 2019 general elections, where it won all five Parliamentary constituencies of Sambalpur, Bargah, Bolangir, Kalahandi, and Sundergarh, all located in western Odisha.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is also contesting from the Kantabanji assembly segment within the Bolangir parliamentary constituency, adds another layer of competition to the electoral landscape.
Following the public meeting at Sonepur, Shah will proceed to Bhubaneswar via Jharsuguda and spend the night in the state capital. Samal hinted at further high-profile visits, stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and BJP president J P Nadda are also likely to campaign for party candidates in the state.
The BJP’s focus on Odisha underscores its commitment to expanding its footprint beyond its traditional strongholds. With Shah’s visit, the party aims to consolidate its support base and make inroads into regions where it has shown electoral promise.
Simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in Odisha present a significant electoral challenge for all parties involved. As the political landscape heats up, parties are gearing up for intense campaigning to sway the electorate in their favor.
In the coming days, all eyes will be on the unfolding political drama in Odisha as parties vie for power and influence in one of India’s crucial battleground states.
