Election campaign gathers steam in Cuttack

Surjit Kumar Dhal,Cuttack, April 17: With the date for third phase Lok Sabha elections coming closure, campaign by different political parties has started gaining momentum in Cuttack.

              So far, the election campaigning was only confined to door to door visit and workers meeting by the political party candidates.

                However, star campaigners of both BJD and BJP are  hit the campaign trail in Cuttack on Wednesday.

While BJD Supremo Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to hold a road show in and around the city to drum up supports for party nominees, BJP National President Amit Shah is also going to make a road show in the city to boost party prospect.

         As per the scheduled programme, after landing at Naraj Helipad at 3.40PM, Patnaik who will start moving in the high-tech election campaign bus from Montessori Gada to Press Chhak via sector, 6, 8,9 and 10, Satichaura, Shelter Chhak, Manisahu Chhak, Matamatha, Ring Road, College Square, Bajrakabati, Madhupatna, Mahanadi Vihar, Pota Pokhari, Nuabazar, Sompur, Kantuar, Kaijanga, 42 Mauza, Jhinkiria covering the areas of Barabati-Cuttack, Choudwar-Cuttack and Cuttack Sadar Assembly constituencies.

               While holding road show, Patnaik is also scheduled to hold roadside meeting at sector-7, Kanika Chhak, Chandi Chhak, Buxi Bazar, Ranihat, Dolamundai, Badambadi, Sikharpur, Justice Chhak, Kandarpur and Ghatkul.

               Similarly, BJP National President Amit Shah who is scheduled to address a public meeting at Narasinghpur will start road show in the city from Buxibazar at 5.40 PM.

His road show covering Jail road, Dargha Bazar, Tinikonina Bagicha, Chudhury Bazar, Chandni Chowk and Shaikh Bazar will culminate at Chandi Mandir.

                The scheduled campaign by Naveen and Shah on the same day has made the political atmosphere in the Millennium city hotter.

The BJP is also planning to bring its star campaigners Uma Bharti and Sunny Deol to the city on the coming days. The saffron party, which is eying to woo Marwadi voters through Uma Bharti, has decided to go for campaign by Sunny Deol to create a craze among the young voters.

                But, Congress on the other hand has decided not to go for any star to campaign in the city. Congress nominee Mohammad Moquim said there is no need of any star campaigning for him.

                “Those who have no capacity of their won seek star campaign from them, I am sufficient as I am with the people and there is no need of others to campaign for me,” said Moquim.