Odisha Cabinet Reshuffle: Bikram Arukha, Sarada Nayak and Sudam Marndi to take oath as ministers today

At a time when speculations regarding new faces to take oath after the reshuffle of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s cabinet are rife, sources confirmed legislators Bikram Keshari Arukha, Sarada Nayak and Sudam Marndi have received calls from the Chief Minister’s office. 

It is learnt that Bhanjanagar MLA Arukha, Rourkela MLA Nayak and Bangriposi MLA Marndi have been asked to remain present at the swearing-in ceremony to be held today (Monday). 

Arukha who resigned as the Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly on May 12 is said to have been picked up to look after the organisational activities in Ganjam district. 

Similarly, Nayak, who was in charge of Jharsuguda bypoll, has been chosen to look after the organisational activities in Sundargarh district as none from the district was in the cabinet even though the district has seven Assembly constituencies.  

The BJD has Mayurbhanj district in its focus to counter the BJP’s clout there which has made Bishweswar Tudu a Union minister and Droupadi Murmu the President of India. To counter the BJP in Mayurbhanj district, the BJD has given an opportunity to Sudam Marndi. 

It is not yet confirmed as to who will get which portfolio but Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal will administer the trio the oath of office and secrecy at 9.30 am today.

After receiving the phone call, Arukha while speaking to journalists said, “Since Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has given me once again an opportunity to work as a minister in his cabinet, I am grateful to him. In the past, I tried my level best to discharge sincerely whatever responsibilities given to me. This time too, I will do the same with utmost sincerity.” 

Notably, besides Arukha, School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Das and Labour and Employees State Insurance Minister Srikanta Sahu too had tendered their resignations.