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It is expected that people will come in large number to welcome the Prime Minister as it will be seen as BJP's show of strength.
President Prasad Harichandan today said the BJP's call for an opposition free India at the National Executive meeting here reflected the arrogance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and posed a threat to the democracy. The state BJP unit claims that more than four lakh persons, including three lakh women from tribal-dominated areas, would attend the gathering. "BJP's golden period should be associated with country's golden period", Shah said.
With such a background, Mr Modi desired that we direct our energies toward moving the national discourse in the direction of making a socioeconomic transformation in the next five years to make India a happy and prosperous nation and a leading country.
The state BJP left no stone unturned to accord a grand welcome to Modi, as this is his first visit to his home state after the party's impressive showing in the state assembly polls, including Uttar Pradesh. For three terms now, chief minister Biju Patnaik has been in power, leading a regional party.
Shah said the BJP should have governments in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and other North-Eastern states.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrives on Saturday, is to hold an eight-km road show here from the airport to Raj Bhawan. Modi is scheduled to speak tomorrow.
Shah has asked party workers to "go the extra mile" to strengthen the party in 120 Lok Sabha constituencies where it is weak. If the BJP, under Mr Modi's leadership, is able to make a dent into a section of the Muslim vote, his party is likely to become immeasurably stronger than it has been so far.
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Talking to media here, Mr Harichandan said earlier the BJP was talking about a "Congress free India" but now they say Opposition free India.
Political observers from the state, however, say that BJD MP from Kendrapara, Baijayant Panda - who too, like Pradhan, has financial clout and just like Pradhan, enjoys a clean and suave image - might emerge as the dark horse.
Human Resource and Development Minister Prakash Javadekar said: "These parties have always suppressed the interests of the backward classes and only given them false hopes". The party is now eyeing unconquered territories from south to east to north east, and this is where Odisha fits into BJP's scheme of things.
He also asked the party workers to visit such places where Muslim women need help in joining the mainstream.
"If the Left governments think they can suppress the BJP by attacking us, they are wrong".
The party can not afford to be contended on having 13 chief ministers.
He quickly added that the fight would be non-violent.
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