Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is likely to hit the campaign trail towards the end of April to bolster the prospects of party candidates for Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha. Like in the 2019 polls, the BJD supremo is expected to reach out to the people by travelling in a specially designed bus.
The first phase of voting is scheduled to take place in Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur, and Berhampur Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. So Naveen will kick off his campaign in these regions. According to sources, the Chief Minister will tour these Parliamentary constituencies along with the 28 Assembly segments falling within them in the last week of this month.
During the 2019 elections, Naveen opted for a non-traditional campaign approach, utilizing a state-of-the-art, fully air-conditioned bus. This custom-designed bus, costing one crore rupees, boasted amenities such as a 16-tonne AC, hydraulic lift, bed, plush sofa, audio-visual system, modern washroom, conference hall, and VSAT connectivity. It was equipped with internet and satellite TV, resembling more of a luxury hotel room than a campaign vehicle.
With temperatures soaring across the state, the Chief Minister will once again avoid the scorching heat. He will be able to address the public comfortably from the bullet-proof bus, utilizing its sun-roof to speak to the people.