BJP to announce party’s new state president before government’s 1st anniversary: Odisha Minister

The name of new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president for Odisha will be announced ahead of the party-led government’s first anniversary, Panchayati Raj & Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik informed on Monday.

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The Minister added that the formation of all corporations and boards will also be completed by that time.

Why there is unusual delay?

“We are not taking any decision in haste. Capable and deserving persons alone will be entrusted with responsibilities. As a national party, the BJP will make the announcement during its Parliamentary Board meeting,” Minister Naik stated.

Naik attributed the delay in the appointment to current national political scenario but assured that organisational matters would be resolved at the right time.

Supporting the statement, Boudh BJP MLA Saroj Pradhan expressed, “There are no issues or internal problems within the party. The organisation will take decisions at the appropriate time.”

“We take into consideration the opinions of every ordinary worker of the BJP, hence there is a delay. The National President of our party (JP Nadda) was a booth-level worker one day. Present Home Minister Amit Shah was also the National President who rose from the grassroots level. Ours is a party where an ordinary worker can attain an extraordinary position,” senior BJP leader Suresh Pujari said.

The outcome and eventual leadership selection will play a key role in shaping BJP's strategic direction within Odisha, with significant interest in the emerging leadership scene.

Speculations are rife as to who will effectively lead the BJP unit in the State, given the party’s organisational strength and action plan for the future.

Among the frontrunners for the position is Manmohan Samal, who is expected to continue in his role. Discussions are going on about other candidates such as former president Samir Mohanty, former Union Minister Bishweswar Tudu and a few others.

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There is considerable conjecture about whether Manmohan Samal will continue to hold his position or whether a new leader will take charge. Political observers keenly wait to see who will navigate the BJP through Odisha’s challenging scenario.