Narendra Modi to visit Odisha on February 11

In a bid to bolster BJP's prospects in 2014 elections in Odisha, party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi is slated to undertake a visit to the state on February 11.

During his visit, Modi is likely to address a huge public meeting here for which details are being worked out, state BJP president K V Singhdeo told reporters here today.

BJP leaders in Odisha want Modi, who has not held any public rally in the state after being named the party's PM candidate, to address meetings in different places to garner support for the party whose popularity has nose-dived since the last general elections in 2009.

"Preparations for the visit have started and a special meeting would be held here on January 4 in order to give a final shape to Modi's programmes," Singhdeo said.

Earlier in July this year, Modi had visited Odisha after being made BJP's National Election Campaign Committee chairman. His visit to the seaside pilgrim town of Puri during Lord Jagannath's world famous Rath Jatra was seen as a move to woo Odia voters.

BJP leaders feel Modi's charisma would help rejuvenate the party's sagging image which suffered severe drubbing in the recent urban local bodies polls in the state.