Apparently taking a cue from the Aam Aadmi Party’s Jhado Chalao Yatra against corrupt politicians, Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal will kick-start its election campaign by organising a fortnight-long Statewide Sankha Bajao, Swabihman Banchao programme from February 20 to March 4 to woo voters.
Addressing a Press conference here, BJD vice-president Kalpataru Das said the ‘Blow Conch’ programme is aimed at highlighting the “Central neglect” towards the State and sensitising people about the welfare measures undertaken by the BJD Government particularly for the poorer sections of the society.
Conch is the BHD’s election symbol.He said the BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would launch the programme on February 20 from his Assembly constituency- Hinjilikatu of Ganjam district.
Party supporters would move from door-to-door in every village during the programme.
Das said that during the fortnight efforts would be made to bring new voters under the party fold. Out of the eight lakh new voters added to the voters list by January 2014, the party would try to involve six lakh and provide them identity cards.
As part of the campaign strategy in the second phase, Das said, the party has decided to hold three mega rallies at three different places on March 5, just a day after the ‘Blow Conch’ campaign, coinciding with the birth anniversary of late Biju Patnaik.
While a women’s congregation would be held at Brahmapur, a Kendu leaf pluckers’ and construction workers’ rally would be organised at Sambalpur and a mega youth rally in Bhubaneswar. The Chief Minister would address all the three congregations during the day, Das said, adding that the timings of the congregations would be decided later.
Ruling out alliance with any other party, Das said the BJD would contest all the 147 Assembly and 21 lok Sabha seats. Party vice-president Prasanna Acharya and Biju Mahila Janata Dal president Pramila Mallick were present at the Press meet.