TV
Following re-election as Odisha BJP President, Manmohan Samal, along with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, have returned after visiting Delhi and meeting the central leadership of the party.
During their visit, discussions were held regarding the political and organisational scenario in the State. Sources suggest that some major decisions are expected to be taken soon.
Expansion of the State Cabinet and appointments to key positions such as chairpersons of boards and corporations are likely to be finalised within this month. The high-level meetings in Delhi signal that crucial political moves are underway.
CM Majhi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while Manmohan Samal held discussions with BJP’s National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh. They deliberated over the status of governance and organisational coordination in Odisha.
Earlier, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh had visited Odisha twice and held meetings concerning the appointments of board and corporation chairpersons. The Chief Minister also met Chugh during his Delhi visit.
With this flurry of high-level interactions, political observers expect that some big announcements regarding the State government and party organisation could be made within July.
“Proper decisions will be taken at the right time,” said Manmohan Samal.
“The Chief Minister and party leaderships are fixing the criteria. They know all the people of Odisha. They also know by making whom the chairman and minister, it will be better for the party and the State government. Our state President and the Chief Minister will find the answers by discussing with the central leadership,” said BJP MLA Babu Singh.
Speculation has been rife regarding who will be inducted into the six vacant ministerial positions in the Cabinet. Among the leaders in race, senior legislators Jayanarayan Mishra, Babu Singh, Irasis Acharya, Amar Nayak, Ashrit Pattnayak, Sanatan Bijuli, Pratap Nayak, Chhabi Mallik, and Durgaprasanna Nayak are at the forefront.
There is also a strong possibility that representation could be given to districts like Kandhamal and Koraput, which currently do not have any ministers. Alongside new appointments, discussions are intensifying around reshuffling portfolios of some existing ministers.
Meanwhile, long-vacant posts of board and corporation chairpersons are also likely to be filled very soon. Under the leadership of National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, two rounds of meetings have already taken place.
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A blueprint has been prepared for appointing around 150 leaders to various roles, and discussions on these appointments are expected to be finalised and implemented shortly.
“Who will be the chairpersons of boards and corporations has been decided in the meeting. However, there will be prerogative of the Chief Minister to choose the ministers. There will be a mix of youth and experienced persons in the ministerial selection,” said political analyst Rabi Das.
