Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make two visits to the state this month. After his first scheduled visit – a two-day official tour starting February 6 – he would visit the state again February 21 to address a farmers’ rally in drought-hit Bargarh district.
Briefing journalists about the second and political visit of Modi, BJP state unit in-charge Arun Singh said: “The prime minister is concerned about the farmers’ pitiable condition in the state. Due to his special attachment and affection with the people of Orissa, he will visit the state twice in a fortnight.”
Modi will address a Kisan Sammelan (farmers’ convection) at Bargarh and interact with leaders of different farmers’ organisations, where he would listen to their problems, Singh said. “The convention is a part of four farmers’ rallies to be held across the country. Such conventions would also be held in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka,” he said.
Singh further informed that lakhs of farmers would gather at the convention where Modi will enlighten them about various central schemes being implemented for the benefit of farmers.
The proposed second visit of the prime minister to Orissa assumes significance as the state’s Opposition BJP has been accusing the BJD government in the state of failure to tackle farmers’ problems, which had led to alleged cases of suicide by many farmers, mostly in the state’s western region.
Reacting to Modi’s scheduled rally, BJD spokesperson Sashibhusan Behera said: “If Modi had visited the state during the drought situation, it would have been better. Although it was late, we welcome the step. We hope he will announce some special scheme or package for Orissa’s poor and drought-hit farmers.”
Modi is scheduled to visit Paradip February 7 to dedicate IOCL’s refinery to nation. PNN
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