BJP chief to visit capital on May 18

Bhubaneswar: BJP national president Nitin Nabin is scheduled to visit the city on May 18 to attend a series of party programmes, marking his first trip to Odisha since taking over the top organisational post in Jan.

Confirming the plan, state BJP president Manmohan Samal said the visit would enthuse party workers, highlighting its significance as Nabin’s maiden Odisha tour as national chief.

A preparatory meeting was held at the state BJP headquarters to finalise arrangements for the visit on Tuesday. The party is planning a grand welcome, including an e-bike rally — to save petrol as per PM Narendra Modi’s appeal — that will receive Nabin and escort him to a workers’ training camp in Jatni.

The visit comes weeks before the Mohan Charan Majhi-led govt completes two years in office on June 12. Nabin’s tour is expected to kick off the party’s anniversary celebrations, showcasing the govt’s achievements and outlining its future roadmap.

Party sources said Nabin is likely to review organisational affairs and strategise on strengthening coordination between the govt and the organisation ahead of next year’s panchayat and urban local body elections. He is also expected to meet members of the state council of ministers and heads of frontal organisations.