A BJP hoarding with a catchy slogan in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Billboards selling mango juice and air-conditioners have given way to hoardings sporting poll slogans across the city.

“Nahin anyapatha, ethara Jagannatha (There is no other way except Jagannath)” — this is not a slogan coined by a devotee of Lord Jagannath, but the BJP’s candidate from Bhubaneswar (central) trying to shore up his fortunes. Several of his hoardings and cut-outs dot the city.

“It is as if he equating himself to the Lord of the universe,” said a BJP worker, who did not want to be named.

Pradhan, who had been a Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation councillor between 2004 and 2009 from Jharpada, however, feels that the slogan sends the right message. “Lord Jagannath always comes to rescue of the people in distress. I will be there for the people in their time of need,” he said.

Pradhan’s competitor and BJD hopeful from Bhubaneswar (central) Bijay Kumar Mohanty, who is banking on his goodwill, is using chief minister Naveen Patnaik’s charisma to woo the voters. Mohanty, who had won the seat in 2009, defeating BJP senior leader Biswabhusan Harichandan by 34,985 votes, has put up posters saying: “Naveen babunka swachha sasana, jini pariachi sabhinka mana (Naveen’s transparent rule has won people’s hearts)”.

“I am always with the people. In the last civic poll, the maximum number of councillors was elected from my constituency. I am sure I will win this time,” he said.

Entrepreneur Sunjoy Hans, who is contesting the elections as a candidate from Bhubaneswar (Ekamra) on an Ama Odisha Party candidate, described himself as “Prarthi nuhen sathi sie (A friend, not a candidate)”.

“I have worked in close association with the people in the past. If elected, I hope I can contribute more to the welfare of the slum residents. Free sewing machines were given to them with a buy-back guarantee of clothes. During this poll, the issue will be socio-economic development of the urban poor,” he said.

BJD posters also flaunt Naveen’s achievements in other slogans — “Nabinanka hatare sasana dora, bikas abasya hoiba rajyara (Naveen’s rule will definitely ensure the state’s development)” at several places and “Odisha basinka gotie swara Nabin babunka bhala sasana puni ethara (People of Odisha in unison want Naveen’s good governance once again)”.

While most of the Congress and BJP hoardings and posters are translated versions of their Hindi and English originals, the Election Commission of India has also put up hoardings with messages urging people to vote.

The civic body is also trying to inspire the people to vote. “Vote Bhubaneswar Vote” is its cry in the city, which had witnessed a low polling percentage in the 2009 elections. According to the data available with the commission, while the state’s average polling percentage in 2009 was 65.30, three Assembly constituencies in the city had polled below 40 per cent.

The poll mood is also rubbing off on business houses selling popular products. A leading company with its headquarters in Calcutta, is asking customers (especially kids) to “vote” for its long and non-sticky noodles.