Poster war in steel city Rourkela marks PM Narendra Modi's visit

ROURKELA: A poster war appeared to have erupted here coinciding with visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to this steel city today with supporters of BJP and BJD displaying pictures of their leaders all over.

While the Prime Minister's visit is to dedicate the modernisation programme of Rourkela Steel Plant here, Patnaik's tour is to launch the cheap meal scheme 'Aahar' for the urban poor.

"We are in an upbeat mood as the Prime Minister is visiting our plant to inaugurate the modernization work," said a senior executive of the RSP. He said a Prime Minister is visiting RSP after a gap of 50 years.

BJP MLA Dilip Ray said, "Let the people judge who has more posters and banners. It is natural that posters and banners are put in view of the Prime Minister's maiden visit to Rourkela. But, we do not understand why the BJD leaders are so worried and putting Patnaik's posters."

Meanwhile, Rourkela SP Anirudha Singh said as many as 50 platoons each comprising 40 security personnel are deployed for the visit of Prime Minister and the Chief Minister. Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel have also been engaged in the PM's security, Singh said.

A team from SPG led by DIG P Darji Lahatoo and two Assistant Inspectors General has taken charge of the security of the inner circle of the Prime Minister's meeting venue at Rourkela Aerodrome Ground while Odisha police, DVF, CRPF and CISF will look after the outer circle.

The prime minister will dedicate to the nation today the modernised and expanded units of Rourkela steel plant.