Bhubaneswar: Political parties in the state are now fine-tuning their strategies to intensify their campaigns for the Bijepur by-poll for which the filing of nominations came to an end Tuesday.
BJD President and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is all set to visit Bijepur to campaign for party candidate Rita Sahu within a few days while the state unit of BJP is planning to rope in Chhattisgarh CM and many Union ministers for the purpose.
While addressing media persons at his residence Tuesday, Patnaik said he will soon visit Bijepur to seek votes for BJD nominee. Meanwhile, several BJP leaders from the constituency joined the ruling BJD in the presence of Patnaik.
“More than 20 BJP leaders from Bijepur have joined the BJD Tuesday. I welcome them to the party. They will strengthen the party,” said the CM.
BJP sources said several union ministers will participate in the campaign. “Leaders like Smriti Irani, Ram Kripal Yadav, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh, Santosh Gangwar, Radha Mohan Singh, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Sadhwi Niranjan Jyoti will seek votes for our nominee. Jual Oram and Dharmendra Pradhan will also take part in the campaign.” said BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma.
Senior Congress leaders like Prasad Harichandan, Hemananda Biswal, Jayadev Jena, Narasingha Mishra and Tara Prasad Bahinipati will campaign for their candidate.
PNN
