Bhubaneswar: The announcement is expected by the end of this month. Either JP Nadda will come and make the announcement, or Union Home Minister Amit Shah will do so. It is said that the party president will be chosen within the coming week. However, after repeated speculation and statements, BJP’s grassroots leaders and workers are growing increasingly confused. Frontline leaders are losing patience. Neither a new state party president has been appointed, nor has anyone been given posts in corporations and boards. Party leaders are waiting eagerly like the mythical bird Chataka.
Leaders who worked hard for the party are sitting in hope of being rewarded, but so far, there has been no outcome. No official seal has been placed on any name for the state party president. Initially, it was said that a new BJP president would be announced in December. Later, it was deferred with the explanation that central leaders were busy with the Delhi elections. In January, the focus shifted to the “Utkarsh Odisha” program and the Prime Minister’s visit, leading to further delays.
The English New Year has passed, and now even the Odia New Year is over, yet BJP’s state chief remains unannounced. For the first time, BJP has formed a government in Odisha on its own. Organization and government are like two sides of the same coin, and governance will run smoothly only with coordination between the two. Central leaders repeat this message whenever they visit the state. Yet, the appointment of the organizational head continues to be delayed. No leader is offering a clear explanation.
After years, BJP has formed its own government in Odisha. Party leaders and workers are energized. It was again speculated that during Amit Shah’s visit to Sambalpur, the name of the new president would be sealed and announced. On April 10, during BJP national president JP Nadda’s visit to Odisha, it was said that the picture would become clear. Several rounds of closed-door meetings have taken place between Delhi and Bhubaneswar involving state and central leadership. Senior leaders from the party’s core group, including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and state president Manmohan Samal, met in New Delhi for discussions. BJP’s Odisha in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar has assured that the name will be announced very soon. However, the announcement continues to be postponed.
What’s even more surprising is that two BJD leaders were brought in and sent to the Rajya Sabha, while senior party leaders and organizers who worked tirelessly to secure the party’s win have yet to be given any significant posts. No appointments have been made to corporations and boards. The new state government will complete one year in two months. The party is planning a mega show to mark the anniversary, but not a single person has been appointed to any board or corporation. Aspiring leaders are restless and disheartened.
After forming a government in Odisha, there were expectations that the organization would be further strengthened. Under a new president, a new team was to be formed to energize the organization from village booths to the state capital. The party had resolved to strengthen the organization before the 2027 panchayat elections. But it’s been five months, and the party still hasn’t announced the state president’s name. Workers and leaders are questioning each other about what invisible reason is causing the delay in the announcement.