Campaigning for election in eight urban local bodies, including five municipalities, came to a close on Sunday.
The Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) where elections were notified to be held included Balimela, Sunabeda, Rairakhole, Paradip, Belpahar and the four new NACs like Dharamgarh, Tusara, Daspalla and Ranpur on April 7. However, election for Ranapur NAC has been deferred by a month.
Leaders of three major political parties, Biju Janata Dal, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party, are making final attempts to reach out to voters in these urban centres.
Addressing a rally at Paradip, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said: “Paradip is emerging as major urban centre in the State. Under the BJD’s rule, the port town will usher in more developments.”
Since slum dwellers constitute majority of voters in Paradip, Mr. Patnaik promised to give special attention for providing them basic amenities.
Several Ministers including Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Debi Prasad Mishra, Pranab Prakash Das Arun Sahoo, Puspendra Singh Deo and Prafulla Mallick have been camping at poll-bound towns.
In western Odisha town of Rairakhole and Belpahad, the BJP has been trying to strengthen its base.
The BJP leaders had started door-to-door campaign for several days. They are highlighting drinking water problem and rehabilitation of slum population.
Similarly, the Congress used service of Narasingha Mishra, Leader of Opposition, in Belpahar NAC.
Naveen Patnaik promises special amenities for slums
