Odisha buzz grows ahead of PM Modi visit: Will BJD-BJP bonhomie turn into realliance?

The big question doing the rounds in the Odisha political circles ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state on March 5 is whether the BJP and the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) announce their alliance for the upcoming simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.

Though senior leaders from both the parties, which had been partners during 1998-2009, are refraining from commenting on their alliance, speculations are rife about the possibility of its announcement during the PM’s visit, which were triggered after the BJD supported Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s candidature in the recent Rajya Sabha elections as the BJP lacked the numbers to ensure his election.

The timing of PM Modi’s visit to Odisha is significant. March 5 will mark the 108th birth anniversary of Odisha icon and former chief minister late Biju Patnaik, the father of BJD supremo and current CM Naveen Patnaik. The BJD has planned a massive programme to celebrate the event and it is expected that the PM will pay tribute to Biju during his one-day tour. He is also likely to share dais with the CM.

According to official sources, the PM will reach Bhubaneswar on the afternoon of March 5. Going ahead with his development pitch, he will then proceed to Chandikhole in Jajpur district to launch various projects. After this, Modi is also scheduled to address a rally organised by the state BJP.

This would be the PM’s second visit to Odisha this year; he had last visited the state on February 3, when he unveiled projects at Sambalpur. Then too, he shared the stage with Patnaik, calling him his friend. The CM had hailed Modi for “setting a new direction for India to become an economic powerhouse”.

While the BJP is the principal Opposition in the state, which