Hectic campaigning for last phase polls in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Apr 13: As the last phase of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in

drew closer, political heavyweights crisscrossed the

going to polls on April 17.

Bigwigs of different political parties are touring the 11 Lok Sabha and 77 Assembly seats, located mostly in coastal and north Odisha, to woo voters.

Odisha is holding Assembly polls along with the Lok Sabha elections.

Besides organising road shows, street corner meetings and big rallies, political parties are using high-tech gadgets to reach the people, while many candidates are making door-to-door visits to impress the electorate.

Those in the fray are also roping in star campaigners of their respective political parties. Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, who campaigned extensively for party candidates in the first phase of polls, is scheduled to address an election rally at Jagatsinghpur tomorrow.

Similarly, Congress President Sonia Gandhi held an election rally at Khariar on April 5 and addressed two public meetings at Balasore and Baripada on April 11.

For the BJP, its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi addressed three election rallies at Balasore, Keonjhar and Talcher during his marathon tour on April 11.

The Gujarat chief minister had earlier campaigned at Nuapada, Balangir and Rourkela for the first phase of polling in 10 Lok Sabha and 70 assembly seats.

PTI