loss of crops due to drought and subsequent farmer suicides seem to have created opportunities for political parties to show their support strength.
After scheduled Chief Minister’s and Prime Minister’s meetings, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is also coming to the State.
It may be noted that the BJD and the Congress have already organised farmer conventions in Bargarh district in recent months.
The BJP will organise its farmers’ rally in the same district on February 21. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party’s national president Amit Shah will attend the mass event.
But ahead of BJP meeting, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is going to attend some farmer-related programmes in Kalahandi district on February 18 (Thursday). Even though, the programmes are stated as Government events, many view it as a plan of the ruling BJD to make its leader reach farmers ahead of the PM’s visit.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that Gandhi will visit the State soon. “Gandhi will come to Odisha soon. He has already assured the PCC chief in this regard,” said a senior party leader.
Sources said Gandhi will attend a rally on forest land rights.