PM Modi holds mega roadshow in Odisha capital ahead of twin polls

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a roadshow in the Odisha capital here for seeking support for the BJP ahead of the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in the state.

The Prime Minister held the roadshow on a stretch of the Janpath from Ram Mandir Square to Vani Vihar Square in the capital city here soon after arriving in the state on a two-day visit in the evening.

The Commissionerate Police tightened security along the route for smooth conduct of the roadshow. Altogether 50 platoons of police personnel and at least 200 officers were deployed at the venue as part of the security arrangement.

The authorities closed the route for vehicular traffic and put up barricades along the stretch to manage the crowd.

The Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers upon his arrival at the venue of the roadshow. Several cultural troupes also performed on the occasion.

Thousands of people congregated along the stretch during the mega roadshow. Accompanied by BJP Odisha unit president Manmohan Samal and party nominee for Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat Aparajita Sarangi, the Prime Minister displayed BJP’s poll symbol ‘Lotus’ and waved at the crowd.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to address three rallies in Kandhamal, Balangir and Bargarh on May 11 (Saturday) for canvassing for the BJP candidates for the upcoming twin polls in the state.

Notably, the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls in Odisha will be held in four phases on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.

The counting of votes will be done on June 4.