Elated over its resounding electoral success in Uttar Pradesh and impressive performance in the panchayat polls in Odisha, the BJP has now turned its focus to Odisha as party national president Amit Shah is scheduled to come to the State on a three-day tour in April to lay what the BJP sources said the foundation against the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD Government ahead of the 2019 general elections.
BJP legislature Party leader KV Singh Deo on Tuesday told reporters here that though Shah’s itinerary is yet to be fixed, he would replicate the modalities adopted by the party in Uttar Pradesh elections in Odisha.
Sources said Shah would address multiple rallies and chair key meetings with the State leadership to chalk out strategies to take on the BJD Government. The BJP has already emerged as the principal opposition party in Odisha with its remarkable gains in the rural elections.
Shah’s visit assumes significance as it is an indicator to the party’s desire to gain a strong foothold here. Sources said Shah would formally open a ‘war room’ here for the 2019 general elections.