TV
Amid growing speculation about a Cabinet reshuffle in Odisha, BJP state president Manmohan Samal on Saturday categorically denied that any such discussions took place during his recent three-day visit to New Delhi.
Speaking to the media after returning to Bhubaneswar, Samal said his trip was focused solely on party organisation, not Ministerial changes.
“There was no discussion on cabinet expansion in Delhi,” Samal said firmly.
“I didn’t go to Delhi to discuss the state Cabinet expansion. Our meetings were related to pending organisational work,” he added.
Dismissing speculation of imminent changes in the State ministry, Samal clarified that any meeting with central leaders, including one with the President of India, was purely courtesy-based.
He further said there is currently “no such possibility” of a Cabinet expansion and stressed that appointments to boards and corporations will be made “at the appropriate time.”
Delhi Visit Fuelled Buzz
Samal’s comments come days after his departure to the national capital on July 22, accompanied by BJP state organisation secretary Manas Mohanty.
Their visit, the first by Samal since being reappointed as state party chief, had triggered widespread political buzz, especially following Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s prior meeting with the Governor.
Sources earlier speculated that Samal would hold high-level discussions with the BJP central leadership on governance matters, including the filling of six vacant ministerial berths and unoccupied chairman posts in various state-run corporations.
However, Samal's statement has now put those rumours to rest.
New Faces Expected in BJP Restructuring
Samal confirmed that the BJP’s internal restructuring is underway, with a new team likely to be announced soon.
“A new BJP committee will be formed in Odisha. So a new president for that committee will be selected,” he said.
He added that ongoing meetings at the state party headquarters, under the guidance of central observers, are focused on strengthening the party’s structure and preparing a new vision document.
No-Confidence Motion: 'We Are Ready'
In response to the Congress party’s reported plan to bring a no-confidence motion against the BJP government, Samal said, “The Opposition has every right to move such a motion. We are prepared to face it.”
While Samal has attempted to quell speculation surrounding cabinet expansion, the pressure on the BJP to balance ministerial representation and fill key governance roles remains high.
Political watchers believe internal organisational restructuring may pave the way for future decisions once the party stabilises its state-level leadership framework.
