Odisha Cabinet Expansion Decision At Right Time: Manmohan Samal After Delhi Visit

Bhubaneswar: Amid speculations about possible Cabinet expansion in Odisha, state BJP president Manmohan Samal on Wednesday said a decision on the ministry reshuffle will be taken at the appropriate time.

Soon after his return from a visit to New Delhi, Samal said the decision on appointments in state-run corporations and boards will also be taken at the right time.

The state BJP chief made it clear that no discussion regarding these appointments and ministry expansion took place during his visit to the national capital.

Stressing that the party leadership has bene carefully examining all aspects before taking any decision and making announcements, Samal said, “Right decisions on these matters will be taken at the appropriate time.”

He said discussions were held with MPs and central leaders on party matters and these are part of routine processes. There would be no change for now and that the party would share information when a decision is taken.

The clarification comes amid growing speculation and anticipation within the party ranks and the state political circles.

Notably, the BJP state president’s visit to Delhi had sparked speculation about potential changes in the state government and party organization. Chief Minister Mohan Majhi had also visited Delhi recently, fuelling rumours about cabinet expansion and appointments of board and corporation chairpersons.

Referring to the Vice-Presidential election, Samal said BJP follows its collective party decision, while BJD move to abstain from voting was the opposition party’s own choice. “It is their decision. BJP is moving forward on its own path,” he said.

Notably, the BJD had also abstained from voting in the 2012 vice presidential polls, in which Hamid Ansari won. It backed non-NDA candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi in the 2017 polls, in which Venkaiah Naidu was elected. In 2022, it supported NDA candidate Jagdeep Dhankar.