The Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to elect its new state president on Tuesday, July 8, following a highly anticipated organisational election. With the party forming a government on its own in Odisha for the first time, the selection of the state president has drawn significant attention from political observers and party members alike.
The election process, which has seen multiple delays, is now in full swing, with nomination filings scheduled for Monday and voting, if required, on Tuesday.
Manmohan Samal, the incumbent state president, is widely considered the frontrunner for the position. Appointed before the last general elections, Samal replaced Samir Mohanty and has since overseen significant party activities, including membership drives and the selection of district-level presidents. Despite speculations about a new face taking the helm, Samal’s name remains at the forefront of discussions. However, the final decision rests with the party’s democratic process, which has sparked curiosity about whether Samal will continue or a new leader will emerge.
The BJP’s state office issued a formal notification on Sunday, outlining the election schedule. Nominations will be filed on Monday between 11 AM and 2 PM, followed by scrutiny and objection resolution from 2 PM to 3 PM. The final list of candidates and symbol allocation will be announced by 4 PM. Voting, if necessary, will take place on Tuesday from 9 AM to 11 AM, with results declared by 11:30 AM.
The voter list, comprising 273 members, includes district presidents, state council members, and 10% of elected MLAs and MPs.State election officer Pratap Chandra Sarangi, under the guidance of national election officer Dr. K. Laxman, confirmed that the process, previously postponed due to unavoidable reasons, has been reinitiated. State in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar, who arrived in Bhubaneswar, stated that if only one candidate files a nomination, they will be declared president unanimously. National election observer Sanjay Jaiswal is also expected to arrive on Monday to oversee the process.
Manmohan Samal, reflecting on his tenure, emphasized the collective efforts of party workers and dismissed personal credit, stating, “I have worked as an ordinary worker for 50 years and will continue to do so. The party will decide on the state president.” Senior BJP MLA Jaynarayan Mishra added that the new president would come from the party’s cadre, highlighting the significant responsibilities of coordinating between the government and the organization.
The election comes at a crucial time as the BJP consolidates its position after forming the state government. Many leaders are eyeing key roles at the block, district, and state levels, as well as positions in government corporations and six vacant ministerial posts.
With only one woman currently serving as Deputy Chief Minister, the upcoming cabinet expansion is also under scrutiny, adding to the political intrigue surrounding the leadership race.
