Sambalpur: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik will visit Bijepur on Monday to express his gratitude to the people of Bijepur Assembly constituency for electing BJD candidate Rita Sahu in the February 24 bypoll.

Naveen will address a public meeting in Barpali town during the visit and also review the progress of various development projects, including the newly announced Gangadhar Meher Irrigation Project. The chief minister was his party's chief campaigner during the bypoll and addressed three public meetings, apart from taking part in road shows. He had assured the people of the constituency that he would personally look into the development of Bijepur and the constituency would see major changes within a year.

Soon after his party's victory, Naveen had rewarded several leaders, including ministers who had worked hard for the party during the bypoll. While minister of state for labour, who hails from Bargarh district, was given additional charge of energy, housing and urban development minister Niranjan Pujari was given additional charge of irrigation and steel minister Prafulla Mallick was given additional charge of works department.

Similarly, Narayan Sahu, Lalbihari Singdeo and Lambodar Niyal were included as members in the West Odisha Development Council. Prabhat Aditya Mishra, who was a claimant for the party ticket, has been made chairman of the Agro Industries Corporation.

During his visit, Naveen will also inaugurate the Biju Expressway, the newly constructed four-way corridor from Rourkela to Sambalpur, at Jharsuguda . Sources said that the visit is significant as the chief minister is keen to strengthen his party's base in west Odisha where the BJP has struck deep roots.

"The victory in Bijepur comes as a morale booster for the BJD. The visit of the chief minister will help us further," said a BJD leader.