BJD prepares strategy for Odisha bypoll

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday met senior leaders of his Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to chalk out strategy for the upcoming by-election to the Bijepur Assembly constituency in Bargarh district.

As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is upbeat over its victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh and eying to win the bypoll, which would give a morale boost to party workers before the 2019 assembly elections, the BJD is leaving no stone unturned to check its rival.

"We drew strategies to strengthen the base of the party in Bargarh district, especially in Bijepur constituency so that we can win the by-election with a huge margin. Party president Naveen Patnaik has directed us to work hard on the grass-root level," said Labour Minister Sushant Singh after the meeting.

The Chief Minister has directed to hold meetings in every panchayats of Bijepur constituency.

"Under the Bijepur assembly segment, there are 59 Panchayats and Barpali NAC (Notified Area Council). The first round of meetings at all those places has already been conducted by the BJD. Today, the Chief Minister has instructed to hold the second round of meetings there," Singh said.

The Election Commission is likely to announce the poll date soon.

The Chief Minister had on Tuesday said that Odisha would not be impacted following BJP's victory in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

The BJP had performed well in last panchayat elections in Bargarh district including in Bijepur constituency.

--IANS

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