Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Odisha on Saturday, where he will unveil projects worth Rs 68,400 crore. The highlight of his visit will be the inauguration of the new campus of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Sambalpur. This will be PM Modi’s first public meeting in the state in nearly five years.
Upon arrival at Jharsuguda airport, the prime minister will proceed to the IIM-Sambalpur campus, accompanied by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Governor Raghubar Das, and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Along with the Rs 400-crore campus, Modi will also unveil infrastructure projects worth Rs 68,000 crore. These projects will cover various sectors such as power, roads, and railways.
After the inauguration, PM Modi will address a public meeting at Remed Ground before heading to Guwahati. His last public meeting in Odisha took place in Kendrapara in April 2019, ahead of the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Although the prime minister has visited the state on multiple occasions since then, he did not address any rallies.
The timing of PM Modi’s visit holds political significance, as the Congress has recently claimed that the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are collaborating. This comes after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a massive rally in Bhubaneswar, and the Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra is scheduled to enter the state next week.
State BJP President Manmohan Samal expressed delight over PM Modi’s visit, noting its political importance. The public meeting will serve as a significant platform for the prime minister to connect with the people of Odisha and discuss various developmental initiatives.
The prime minister’s visit to the state underscores his commitment to Odisha’s progress and his consistent efforts to support the state during challenging times. It also reflects the Bharatiya Janata Party’s determination to strengthen its foothold in the region and consolidate its support base.
As PM Modi visits Odisha to inaugurate key projects and engage with the public, his visit will undoubtedly draw attention to the state’s developmental landscape and provide a platform for political discourse ahead of the upcoming elections.
