BIJEPUR : Does the celebrity shine of film stars leave voters starry-eyed? Can they turn the tide in favour of their parties? Interestingly, Bijepur Assembly segment does not have a cinema hall and Odia films are not in demand in this part of the State except at Patnagarh in Balangir. As a result, cine stars hardly hold any attraction among the electorates.Yet, both Biju Janata Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party have roped in one movie star too many to draw voters. While this has put off the locals, one can see a large crowd from coastal pockets following the film stars and even clicking selfies during campaigning.
As campaigning for the by-poll reaches its fag end, strategy has shifted to late night visits to villages for micro management. Big leaders hit the campaign trail during the day while campaign managers and their deputies camp in their designated villages during the night.A large floating population too has invaded the Assembly segment and can be following their leaders. Clad in white linen shirts and denims, they look flamboyant, sip fruit juice in tetra packs or bottled water in a region where availability of safe drinking water is scarce.
Needless to say, it has not gone down well with locals. Nor are they happy with hordes of electronic media, equipped with cameras and crew in OB vans. These TV channels block their view of leaders who the locals wait for hours to catch a glimpse of. However, it is boom time for shop keepers selling bottled water, cigarette and pan masala at a premium. Roadside eateries have been raking in the moolah. New dhabas have come up along roads connecting Bijepur, Barpali and Gaisilet where chicken, quail and mutton are in huge demand.