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BHUBANESWAR:17/5/24: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday held a massive roadshow in the state capital during which he reached out to people reiterating BJD’s commitment to providing free power to 90 percent of families in Odisha.
In what is viewed as a well-thought-out strategy, the BJD pulled out its most popular face and star campaigner to neutralise the impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow held exactly a week back.
Naveen was given a rousing welcome by thousands of supporters as the mega event touched major parts of the city, commencing from Ganganagar. The event saw the return of a specially designed vehicle that the CM had used so famously in 2019 during his campaign.
Perched on a hydraulic platform along with 5T chairman VK Pandian, the BJD supremo appeared from the sunroof of the specially designed bus as he greeted the crowd and enquired about their well-being. He went on to reiterate BJD’s commitment to offering free power to around 90 percent of population of Odisha from July onwards after the party forms the next government.
“People in the state will get free power supply from July,” said Naveen while urging people to vote for BJD’s MLA and MP candidates by pressing the party’s conch symbol on the EVM.
Pandian said Naveen will take oath as the chief minister on June 9 and his first task will be to fulfill the free power promise of the party.
“Around 90 percent of families of Odisha will benefit from the exemption. The chief minister will ensure everyone gets Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) card. He will also provide pensions to women SHG members under Mission Shakti after they attain the age of 60,” said Pandian. People could be seen wearing Naveen caps, holding BJD’s flag, and expressing their support for the BJD supremo. Ganganagar reverberated with drum beats and traditional dance performances as Naveen’s cavalcade proceeded towards Gopabandhu Square.
Citizens in thousands thronged the route to have a glimpse of Naveen. Many said there is no anti-incumbency factor against Naveen as he has carried out a lot of development work in the last 25 years.
A group of senior citizens, which usually returns home at around 6 pm after their evening walk, waited for an hour near DAV School in Unit-VIII to listen to Naveen. “A lot of development in transport, health, and education sectors has taken place during the chief minister’s tenure,” said 78-year-old Bansidhar Nayak. Several youth said the state government has done a lot of work including generating jobs.
“The chief minister increased the age limit for OPSC and OSSC exams. He also succeeded in giving a boost to the IT sector in the capital city which has given scope to youth to work in the state instead of moving to other metro cities,” said a citizen, Syed Irfan.
During the roadshow, various groups from different districts like Koraput and Ganjam showcased traditional dance performances. Huge cutouts of Naveen could be seen in all the areas through which his cavalcade proceeded. The event concluded at Sishu Bhawan Square after crossing various areas like Kalinga Stadium Square, Satya Nagar, and others.
BJD’s Bhubaneswar MP candidate Manmath Routray and central Assembly candidate Ananta Narayan Jena were present at the roadshow.
