With the filing of nominations over, the political parties are all set for a no-holds-barred campaign with the BJD leading the pack by unleashing a hi-tech blitz across the constituencies.
The BJD has rolled out hi-tech vehicles with LED screens, sound systems, internet connections and power backups for campaigning in all the 147 Assembly constituencies. BJD general secretary Narendra Swain said 29 such vehicles have started covering the constituencies which will go to polls in the first phase on April 10.
The vehicles will display electronic contents for more than three hours at a stretch. Besides, the LED screens can directly telecast content downloaded from the internet.
The contents to be shown to the people comprise highlights of the BJD Government’s achievements during the 14 years of its rule and Naveen’s profile.
While candidates were asked to go for their own campaigns, the vehicles would roll out for the party to make its poll symbol ‘conch’ popular among the voters.
The official website of the BJD will include anti-corruption steps, feats in agriculture and women’s empowerment. The BJD has also launched its campaign through Facebook and Twitter accounts which highlight the achievements of the Government.
Besides, the BJD is not behind in traditional campaign. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had already launched the party’s campaign from Hinjili, his Assembly constituency, on Wednesday. During the two-day campaign in Ganjam district, Naveen attended more than 20 public meetings and road shows.
The BJD’s list of star campaigners include cine stars Anubhav Mohanty, Tatwa Prakash Satpathy (Papu Pom Pom), Akash Dash Nayak and seasoned politicians Health Minister Damodar Rout, Prasanna Acharya and Kalpataru Das.
The BJP is also preparing for a high profile campaign across the State. “The party will mostly depend on public meetings and road shows by national leaders, including prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi, party president Rajnath Singh, senior leaders Sushma Swaraj and others,” spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said.
Sharma said audio and video materials, including Modi’s speeches, songs and other materials are under preparation.
The Congress will mostly depend on party president Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi to campaign for its candidates. Sonia’s public meeting at Khariar on April 7 has already been finalised. She will also visit other constituencies going to polls in the second phase.
Rahul will address two public meetings in Nabarangpur and Koraput constituencies on March 31. Besides, campaign materials highlighting the failure of the BJD Government and the number of scams during its 14-year rule are also being prepared, a senior leader said.
