In Odisha, Amit Shah keeps focus on booths

BHUBANESWAR / NEW DELHI: With both the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections due in Odisha next year, BJP Chief Amit Shah kicked off his party in the state on Sunday by holding meetings with senior party leaders and incharges of the 21 Lok Sabha sit down to the booth level.

Shah's visit is part of his campaign to visit the world by the end of the day. Odisha is one of the important states where you will find yourself in the heart of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had addressed a rally in Cuttack on May 26 to mark the fourth anniversary of his government.

BJP had also held its national executive in Bhubaneswar in April, 2017. However, its recent loss in the Bijepur by BJD may have a long way to go to BJD .

Shah addressed Shakti Kendra incharges and co-incharges in Bhubaneswar.

Sources said he has asked the party to increase the presence at the booth level. He also addressed incharges of the 21 Lok Sabha seats of the state and a social media workshop.

BJP aims to focus on the coastal areas of the country in the Lok Sabha elections but this could be an issue Naveen Patnaik-led BJD is very strong in this region. BJD has been in power in Odisha since 2000. It won 20 of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in 2014 Lok Sabha elections despite the Modi wave.

Shah inquired about the implementation of the various central welfare schemes in Odisha, sources said.

Agency reports said Shah is slated to hold a meeting with two leaders from each of the panchayats in the 21 Assembly segments under the Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack Lok Sabha constituencies.

Shah had launched a booth contact program – 'Mo Booth Sabuthu Majbhoot' (My booth is the strongest one) – in Odisha last year. Party leaders have been given the task of ensuring that they have been involved in the pro-poor initiatives and welfare measures undertaken by the BJP-led NDA government.