Odisha BJP says suitable venue denied for Amit Shah rally

The Odisha government did not provide a suitable venue for a public meeting by BJP president Amit Shah, state party chief Kanak Vardan Singhdeo alleged Wednesday.

Shah is scheduled to hold a public meeting in Bhubaneswar during his two-day visit to Odisha Jan 6-7.

"Amitji will hold a public meeting Jan 6 and a gathering of one lakh people is expected. But the government is not providing a suitable venue," he said.

"We had proposed to hold the meeting at PMG Square or at a school ground, but the government refused to give permission," Singhdeo told media persons here.

The party has now decided to hold the meeting at a ground behind the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, he said.

"The Odisha chief minister can hold meetings at school playgrounds, but national leaders cannot hold such meetings in the state," he said.

Shah will review the party's ongoing membership drive during his visit. He will visit the famous Jagannath temple in Puri Jan 7.