Town painted saffron ahead of Advani Yatra

BARGARH/SAMBALPUR: With hours to go before senior BJP leader LK Advani arrives in the district as part of his Jana Chetna Yatra, BJP is on the overdrive to whip up a frenzy. The entire stretch from Luharachati border to Sambalpur town has been painted saffron with BJP symbols, flags and banners. Loudspeakers fitted atop vehicles have been blaring about the state of corruption under the UPA regime, Jana Chetna Yatra and the arrival of Advani. The partymen urged people to join in welcoming Advani.Once a stronghold of BJP, Sambalpur has elected Jayanarayan Mishra thrice in a row including the current term, while the erstwhile Melchamunda Assembly segment represented by Mohammad Rafiq had helped the party to change its image of an ‘all-Hindu party’. The BJP has been on a downslide over intra party squabbling and power struggle.However, the yatra has rekindled the hope and mood is upbeat among the rank and file of the party and there is no denying that the visit of Advani would rejuvenate the party  ahead of the panchayat polls next year. With the BJD failing to make much of a dent in this traditional Congress bastion and BJP placed close to the Congress, much hope is being pinned on the visit of the BJP patriarch. There has been a sudden spurt in activity within the party and Nuapada MLA Basanta Panda and firebrand youth leader Pradeep Purohit are working overtime to accord Advani a rousing welcome at Luharachati. In Sambalpur, Mishra has been entrusted with putting up a good show. Earlier, State BJP president Jual Oram reviewed the preparation and an effort is being made to bring back the frenzy of the late 90’s when BJP rode to power. However, it remains to be seen whether the BJP can sustain the frenzy with intense power struggle in the party and the supporters in W Orissa divided on leadership.