Bhubaneswar, July 14: Tomorrow will be the first occasion since their alliance ruptured over three years ago that both the BJD and the BJP will roll out the red carpet for a common guest — P.A. Sangma — who they have decided to back in the race to the Raisina Hill.

Today, both the parties appeared to be pulling out all stops for Sangma’s welcome though their preparations were mutually exclusive and the leaders were wary of commenting on the other. The BJD office, not far from the airport, hummed with activity throughout the day with workers giving last-minute touches to the preparations under the watchful eyes of senior leaders. The scene was not much different at the BJP office located in the heart of the city.

Sources said all the BJD MLAs and MPs barring the suspended ones following the failed coup against chief minister Naveen Patnaik would be present when Sangma arrives at the party office tomorrow morning. On a whistle-stop campaign, the veteran leader from Meghalaya would be in the city for four hours during which he would also visit the state BJP office to interact with its leaders.

This is Sangma’s first visit to the state after filing his nomination papers.

Sangma’s son and senior NCP leader Conrad K. Sangma had avoided meeting the state BJP leaders when he visited the state on June 26 canvassing support for his father. He went back from Naveen Nivas, the chief minister’s residence, after taking signatures of the BJD MLAs and MPs on his father’s nomination papers.

As the BJD geared up for Sangma’s visit, the changing power equations within the party since the sidelining of Rajya Sabha member, Pyari Mohan Mohapatra also became evident. The chairpersons of three state-run corporations and member of the state planning board, all handpicked by Mohapatra were shown the door.

The move came within hours of Mohapatra telling reporters that there had been no secret patch-up between him and the chief minister. “I don’t do anything secretly. Whatever I do, I do in broad daylight,” quipped Mohapatra.

The leaders ruled out his presence at the BJD office during Sangma’s visit tomorrow, saying that the suspended leaders were not supposed to take part in party programmes.

Mohapatra rubbished media reports about his plans to organise his loyalists’ convention on August 7. “These are rumours floated by people, who are eager to become ministers,” he said. The three BJD MLAs representing Bhubaneswar stayed away from the function apparently to avoid being seen with Mohapatra. However, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patasani and Rajya Sabha member Baishnab Parida marked their presence.