BHUBANESWAR: The sudden visit of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and state BJP president Manmohan Samal to New Delhi on Thursday has sparked fresh speculation over a possible reshuffle of the state cabinet and long-pending political appointments to state-run corporations and boards.
The development comes amid cancellation of the July 4 visit of Union Home minister Amit Shah to Odisha citing urgent engagements in the national capital.
BJP sources said the Delhi programme of Majhi and Samal was finalised late on Wednesday night after it became clear that Shah’s Odisha tour would not take place as scheduled. This has intensified political chatter over a possible reshuffle of the Union council of ministers anytime soon.
While the purpose of visit of the two top leaders of the state BJP has not been officially disclosed, party insiders said discussions in New Delhi could include a long-awaited reshuffle and expansion of the state council of ministers as well as appointments to various corporations and boards that have remained vacant since it assumed office in Odisha.
According to BJP sources, Majhi and Samal are likely to meet party national president Nitin Nabin at the party headquarters. The leaders are also expected to hold discussions with Amit Shah, while another source indicated that a meeting with BJP national general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh is also on the cards.
Speaking before leaving for New Delhi, Samal sought to play down the speculation, describing his visit as a routine organisational tour during which he would meet various BJP office-bearers. He also confirmed that Amit Shah’s scheduled Odisha visit had been deferred owing to important engagements in New Delhi.
The chief minister left for airport straight from the state convention centre after the signing of an MoU for the largest FDI in metallurgical sector with an UAE-based IHC and Adani Group.
The state cabinet which can accommodate six more ministers has remained unchanged since the BJP formed its government in the state in June 2024. Appointments to several corporations and boards are still awaited even after two years.