Modi to campaign for BJP in Orissa

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will campaign extensively in Orissa for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is preparing to contest all seats in the state after ending its decade-long alliance with Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will campaign extensively in Orissa for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is preparing to contest all seats in the state after ending its decade-long alliance with Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

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"Although most of our prominent leaders will address public meetings and campaign for our party, Modi will devote more time in Orissa and campaign extensively," state BJP president Suresh Pujari told IANS.

The BJP is organising a "Vijay Sankalpa" (victory pledge) rally March 16, and Modi and several senior leaders of the party are expected to attend.

The decade old alliance between the BJP and the BJD, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, ended Saturday night after talks between both parties over seat sharing failed.

Polling in Orissa for both the 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147-strong state assembly will be held in two phases -- April 16 and April 23.