Bhubaneswar, Sep 5: Union Minister Anurag Thakur recently clarified that the BJP-led NDA Government at Centre would complete its full five-year tenure at office and there is no possibility of early or late Lok Sabha polls.
But does that end all the speculations regarding early polls in states like Odisha, where Assembly elections are also due with Lok Sabha votes? Well, if Union Minister Thakur's statement is final, then the answer is almost clear.
That means, Assembly and Lok Sabha votes would be held as per schedule in Odisha and chances of early polls are remote. At least, that is what it appears at this juncture. But can that be a certainty? Definitely, 'No'.
The reason being the three major parties seem to be getting into that pre-election mood in Odisha. Even the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the party which almost remained invincible in Odisha for more than two decades, appears to be busy in strategising its modus operandi for the ensuing polls.
On Monday, the BJD had marathon meetings throughout the day to take stock of organizational preparedness and chart out a roadmap to face both Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, which are due in around eight months, revealed party sources.
A day after condoling the death of former Odisha Assembly Speaker and veteran BJD leader Surya Narayan Patro's untimely demise, on Monday, it was like back to business for the BJD. Party supremo and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had a two-hour-long meeting with district observers and senior leaders at Naveen Niwas in the evening.
But that was not all. Earlier in the day, BJD General Secretary (organization) Pranab Prakash Das also met party Legislators at Sankha Bhavan (BJD state office).
Later, the media was informed by BJD vice-president and party stalwart Debi Prasad Mishra that CM Patnaik has asked the observers and leaders to keep up the organizational work at the constituency level and remain prepared for polls.
It is also learned that the BJD has decided to start the Assembly constituency level exercise from September 7. The exercise will continue till the first week of October, sources informed.
But it's not only the BJD. Even the two major opposition parties - BJP and Congress too appear to be getting poll-ready in Odisha. Though BJD under Naveen Patnaik still appears to be way ahead of its opponents as far as poll preparedness is concerned, it's too early to draw inferences, warn political analysts.
In such a scenario, although there is no clear picture today as to when would the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections be held, one thing is evident major political forces in Odisha are getting into the 'poll ready' mood.
