In a first, Naveen Patnaik campaigns in second assembly seat

BIJEPUR: At the BJD party office in Bijepur, a group of local leaders were busy finalizing the last-minute campaign plan while waiting for the arrival of chief minister Naveen Patnaik. The BJD president is the party candidate from

Bijepur

assembly constituency.

Naveen’s stage had been set just opposite the party office at the High School ground, where a large crowd including women had gathered braving the harsh sun. Many youngsters and children had formed a circle around the barricaded helipad adjacent to the venue, hoping to catch a glimpse of Naveen. The last time he was in Bijepur was to campaign for Rita Sahu, wife of Congress leader Subol Sahu, whose untimely death enforced a bypoll in 2018. This time, Naveen is contesting from Bijepur himself. This is the first time Naveen is contesting from a second seat besides his traditional base Hinjili, in Ganjam district. The move is aimed at countering an emerging BJP.

Campaign for the second phase of election in five

Lok Sabha

and 35 assembly segments is set to end on Tuesday, with election slated on Thursday.

At around 11:30 am, the helicopter carrying Naveen landed, the din rising from the rotors matched by the chorus that went up from the crowd. The chief minister was accompanied by senior leader and party’s

Bargarh

Lok Sabha candidate, Prasanna Acharya. Both waved at the enthusiastic crowd before proceeding to the meeting venue.

“Of course Naveen babu will win, who else? He has done lot of good work for the state. His schemes take care of people of all age-groups,” said Sakuntala Sahu, a local who had come to hear Naveen speak.

Similar scenes were witnessed at Barpali and Gaisilet, also part of the constituency, as Naveen hit the trail on the last day of campaigning for the second phase of elections. He spent around 20 minutes in each of the three places.

In his speech, the chief minister invoked poet Gangadhar Meher. He assured that the development of Bijepur is now his responsibility. “You are like my family members,” he said, trying to strike a chord.

“Over 40 lakh families have benefited under the Kalia scheme. The BJP government at the Centre is trying to derail the scheme. But no one can stop Kalia till I am alive,” Naveen said.

He also reiterated that all eligible farmers would get two instalments of financial assistance under Kalia the day his party forms the next government.

Earlier, during a rally in Bargarh, Naveen played the Sambalpuri/Kosali card, saying that he requested the Centre to include the language in the 8th Schedule but the Centre didn’t do it. People in around 10 western Odisha districts speak Sambalpuri.