Electing New Chief Of Odisha Unit Will Be Challenging For BJP?

Bhubaneswar: By the end of December, the State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will get its new president. Though the saffron party leaders currently claim to have no qualms over anyone assuming the charge, it seems that some expectations might meet with disappointments ahead of the New Year celebrations.

A case in point being the recent statements of BJP's Sambalpur MLA Jaynarayan Mishra who was a bit indifferent to the question of being an aspirant for the top post. Besides, he said that he will not accept the president position even if the party offers him.

"They (BJP) didn't give me the Leader of Opposition (LoP) post... Now, why will they elect me (party president)? I am not in any race and don't even want to be," said Mishra.

He further said that there is no big deal in who holds which post as the party leaders are connected by their ideologies and they will continue to work accordingly.

Besides, Bishnu Sethi, BJP's deputy leader of the party in Odisha Assembly almost hinted that most of the party leaders are aspiring to become the chief and he himself is one of them.

"Who doesn't want to be the chief? If I will be asked for the Chief Minister position, will I deny? Jo mila toh thik hai, jo na mila toh bhi thik hai," said Sethi.

On the other hand, the BJP has been offering the post to leaders from western Odisha since 2004; and hence, it is believed that the party may go for someone from the coastal region this time. The current vice-president Samir Mohanty and general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan are seen as the top contenders from this region.

Eyeing the upcoming polls, the party will choose a leader unanimously, said Harichandan.

"BJP will have a new chief in Odisha based on the general agreement of all. There are several eligible candidates from across the State. An appropriate candidate will be elected," said Union Minister and Balasore MP, Pratap Sarangi.

While there are many other aspirants for the top organisational post, the national leadership is reportedly looking for a candidate who has organisational abilities and can lead the party from the front in elections.

BJP has appointed Narendra Singh Tomar and Rajiv Pratap Rudy as observers for the organisational polls in the State.