Modi vs Naveen shows to coincide next week

Bhubaneswar: In view of the approaching general elections, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) led state government and the Bharatiya Jana Party (BJP) led government at Centre are in no mood to lose any opportunity to woo the voters.
The state was witness to simultaneous public shows by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik January 5. Again the two stalwarts are addressing two different government events in the state albeit at different places on the same day – January 15.
While Modi is scheduled to launch a slew of developmental projects in Bolangir January 15, Naveen will address a rally of farmers here the same day.
Last time, Patnaik had skipped a few Central programmes launched by Modi in Baripada and held a separate meeting of women SHGs at Puri. But, both the leaders had taken care not to attack each other that day. Now, all eyes are focused on what the two leaders may utter and what schemes they may unveil that day.
After attending the government programme, Modi is expected to address a public rally at Patharachepa ground at 11.45 am.
Naveen, on the other hand, will inaugurate Krushi Odisha programme (an expo of farm equipment) and address a gathering of farmers at Baramunda ground here. The CM will also distribute various benefits to the farmers.
Although the BJP and BJD see the two events as separate government programmes, the apparent reality is both the parties have engaged themselves in a tug-of-war ahead of the general elections.
“As the PM is visiting Bolangir, we expect he would make some announcements on local demands like a bypass road for Bolangir town, hike in MSP of paddy, wagon factory in Kalahandi and acceleration of Khurda-Bolangir railway track project,” Bolangir MP Kalikesh Singh Deo said.
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said, “The ruling BJD is scared of Modi, so it is planning events to clash with the PM’s programmes in the state.”