Amidst tight security arrangements, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Rahul Gandhi is all set to begin his roadshow in 12 tribal districts of Orissa, including some Naxal-infested ones, from March 7 to 10.

Rahul’s visit will start from Nuapada and he will then move on to Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Koraput, Rayagada, Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Angul, Mayurbhanj, Ganjam, Cuttack, Jajpur and Khurda where he will have interactive sessions with tribals and also hold a number of rallies.

Several of the above districts like Nabranagpur, Koraput, Rayagada, Sundargarh and Sambalpur are Naxalite affected and at present scaled down combing operations are in progress in Koraput and Rayagada for Maoists, who had looted three police stations in Nayagarh last month.

Initially, there were some doubts about his tour being allowed by the state Government citing security concerns, especially in the wake of the Maoist terror in Nayagarh, but local Congress leaders here were confident that the tour would go on. The Congress was especially keen on Rahul’s visit as they believe he could actively motivate party rank and file with just about an year to go for the Assembly elections. As regards security concerns, the local Congress leaders are not worried too much.

Orissa Pradesh Congress Committee president Jaidev Jena told The Indian Express, “We have informed the Home department about Rahul Gandhi’s visit and it (security aspect) is their lookout.”

However, the state Government is leaving nothing to chance and a series of meetings are on to discuss Rahul’s visit. An SPG team is also in the state capital to review the security arrangements and the possible places Rahul would be visiting. A senior official in the Home department said adequate security cover befitting the VIP would be provided to him.

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