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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha is on the verge of appointing a new state president, as the visit of the national president, JP Nadda to the state raises expectations for an imminent announcement.
After arriving today, Nadda’s itinerary includes a two-and-a-half-hour meeting at the State Guest House, foreshadowing potential pivotal discussions regarding the leadership.
Current leadership status
The delay in announcing a new leadership has kept party members on tenterhooks, yet there is hope that Nadda might reveal the chosen leader during his presence in the state. The focal point of the speculation is whether the incumbent president, Manmohan Samal, will stay on, or if the role will shift to a fresh appointee. Despite recently finalising a list of names for board and corporation roles, the decision regarding the state president remains pending.
Contenders for leadership
Samal holds a strong position as he has been instrumental in preparing strategies for the last 2024 General Elections, with his involvement in candidate selection and campaign efforts augmenting his reappointment prospects.
Meanwhile, there are strong calls within the party for a new leader, with names such as Vice-President Golak Mohapatra, former Union Minister Bishweswar Tudu, and former President Samir Mohanty also under consideration.
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“After returning to Bhubaneswar, JP Nadda will remain in the State Capital for two to two and a half hours. During the period, he will hold some important discussions with the party leaders both officially and unofficially,” said State BJP Vice President Biranchi Narayan Tripathy.
“When our State in-charge will visit Odisha, nominations will be done in one day and the result will be announced a day after,” said BJP’s Odisha Election Officer Pratap Sarangi.
Strategic role and future elections
As per sources, the impending appointment carries significant weight as the new state president will play a crucial role in the party’s ambitions to secure governance, especially with local Panchayat and municipal elections on the horizon. Hence, a candidate with extensive organisational prowess and familiarity with the state’s political terrain is essential.
“While some leaders within the party are demanding that Samal should be repeated, some others are demanding a new president. With JP Nadda’s visit to the State, it is expected that the party will have a final decision about the new state president,” said political analyst Prasanna Mohanty.
Nadda’s itinerary
JP Nadda is slated to inaugurate the Ninth NHM summit in Puri and offer worship at the revered Jagannath Temple, before returning to Bhubaneswar. At the State Guest House, he is scheduled to engage with the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and BJP’s legislative cadre, to further synchronise the efforts between the party’s organisational machinery and governmental functions.
