Shah begins BJP's Mission Odisha from BJD citadel

Eyeing two-third majority in 2019 Assembly election, BJP chief Amit Shah chose the costal districts of Odisha, where the saffron base is comparatively weaker than that of incumbent BJD, to kick off the 'Mo Booth Sabuthu Majboot' campaign.

While Shah embarked on the first day of his Odisha campaign on Tuesday, he also held door-to-door meeting at Booth No-6, Hugulapata village in Kukudakhandi Block of Ganjam district, CM Naveen Patnaik's home turf.

During his address to the local families and party workers, he said, "Our full-time party workers are working day and night at the grassroots level for 15 days or for 6 months, or for a year. Therefore, I believe that we will achieve our aim by this September."

He said, "While I was on my way, I saw a huge number of people were welcoming us. That shows their support to BJP." Shah's three-day Odisha visit is a part of his Vistar Yatra aimed at strengthening the party with a 110-day trip across the nation.

Meanwhile, launching a scathing attack on the incumbent BJD government, Shah added, "Modiji's government has provided enough funds in three years, three times more than the previous Congress government, but no work has been done yet. The state government has also failed to generate employment."

"We will work till the BJP CM is taking charge of Odisha for the sake of public welfare," he stressed.

While travelling 175 km by road, Shah also visited CRPF Square, Khandagiri Square, Bhuasuni Temple Chhak, Gada Khordha Chhak, Balugaon Bypass, Langaleswar, Humma Bazar area, Rambha, Ganja, Chhatrapur, Chamakhandi, Jagannathpur and Regedi Chhak. In Khordha district, he hailed the warriors of Paika rebellions. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP state President Basanta Panda and state in charge Arun Singh also accompanied the party president. Apart from addressing party workers, Shah also had a lunch at an OBC farmer Navin Swain's residence.

In the later half of the day, Shah visited Brahmapur, which has been politically significant. During the 1970's the constituency was Left-dominated, and later on a Congress wave emerged after the former Prime Minister P V Narshima Rao won Lok Sabha elections from there in the 90's.

Now to fulfil the target of 120 Assembly seats out of total 147, this constituency may play a significant role for BJP, political observers feel.