Click to play videoBhubaneswar: Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi will be in Bhubaneswar after kicking off his ambitious Discovery of India tour from the most backward, naxal-affected KBK (Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput) belt on Friday.
And with the indications of an early election after UPA's aam-admi Budget, Rahul’s tour has got the election talk going in the party carders.
“Let us watch the developments. You are all aware of the reports that are coming from Delhi,” Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.
With the daring naxal attack of February 15 at Nayagarh fresh in memory, the state government's immediate concern though is to aggressively continue its drive against the rebels even while ensuring adequate security for Rahul's meetings.
Meanwhile, the Congress is keeping up the pressure on the state government. “Our leaders would not stop coming due to naxal threat. It is the duty of the state government to give them protection,” President of OPCC, Jayadev Jena said.
The government, however, maintains there's no cause for worry. “If there are any security concerns for Rahul that will be looked into. But people are traveling safely all across the state,” Patnaik assured.
Yet, officials say the timing of Rahul's visit is just not right. His detailed tour plan is also being kept a secret. So, it seems the Gandhi scion might well have to use a chopper to discover one of the country's most backward regions.
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