Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited Rayagada on Thursday for campaigning in the UlB polls. He was taken in an open jeep to Jagannath Temple Chowk where a general meeting was held.
All the BJD candidates from 24 wards were present on the dais with Patnaik who read all their names and appealed the public to vote for his candidates.
In the same jeep along with Ministers lal Behari Himirika and Pratap Keshari Deb and Rayagada BJD president Nekkati Bhaskar Rao, the Chief Minister went around the town and had a stopover at Gajapati Chowk and addressed the gathering about the achievement of his Government.
“The marathon visit by the Chief Minister indicates the threat within. In previous UlB elections, the Chief Minister never campaigned. This could be Pyari and other effects,” said a disgruntled party man.
It is also known well that there are two factions in the BJD in Rayagada which may affect the poll results. The tribals, who are still demanding justice for the death of a tribal leader named Bhagirathi Manding, have voted for Congress in the last Zilla Parishad elections. History may repeat itself this time.
As the welfare of the wards has been neglected, there is every chance of anti-incumbency votes. The Chief Minister’s charisma was not seen this time during his visit as it was nearly a poor show of audience who turned up at the meetings here.