Braj Mohan Ram sworn in as Odisha Governor at Lok Bhavan, Bhubaneswar
Synopsis
Braj Mohan Ram, a three-time Lok Sabha MP from Palamu and one of BJP's prominent Dalit faces in Jharkhand, was sworn in as Odisha's new Governor on 18 October — but not without controversy: remarks he made about boosting the BJP's organisational base in the state before taking charge have raised questions about the constitutional neutrality expected of the office.
Key Takeaways
Braj Mohan Ram was sworn in as Governor of Odisha on 18 October 2026 at Lok Bhavan, Bhubaneswar .
The oath was administered by Justice Harish Tandon , Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court .
Ram replaces Hari Babu Kambhampati in the gubernatorial role.
He is a three-time Lok Sabha MP from Palamu (1996, 1998, 1999) and a leading Dalit figure of the BJP in Jharkhand.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated Ram and expressed confidence that the state's development would gain momentum under his guidance.
Ram's appointment was preceded by controversy over remarks about strengthening the BJP's organisational base in Odisha.
Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Braj Mohan Ram was sworn in as the Governor of Odisha on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at a ceremony held at the Abhishek Hall of Lok Bhavan in Bhubaneswar. Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, Justice Harish Tandon, administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new governor.
Ceremony and Dignitaries Present
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, senior state ministers, opposition leaders, and senior government officials. Following the oath, Ram was accorded a formal guard of honour at Lok Bhavan. He replaces Hari Babu Kambhampati in the role.
Temple Visit Before Taking Charge
A day before the ceremony, on Saturday, Ram visited the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, accompanied by his mother and wife, to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. Speaking to reporters after the temple visit, Ram said he prayed to Lord Jagannath for the progress and development of Odisha, adding that he would work for the development of the state 'in consultation and cooperation with everyone.'
Profile: A Dalit Leader with Decades of Public Service
Ram is widely regarded as one of the prominent Dalit faces of the BJP in Jharkhand. He comes from a farming family and has a long track record of legislative and social service. He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in undivided Bihar before winning the Lok Sabha seat from Palamu on three occasions — in 1996, 1998, and 1999. He has also served as the in-charge of the State Scheduled Caste Morcha and worked towards establishing educational institutions in Chandwa. His appointment is seen as recognition of his grassroots leadership and his decades of work on Dalit empowerment.
What the Chief Minister Said
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended congratulations to the new governor, saying: 'Under the guidance of the Honourable Governor, Odisha's journey towards development will gain further momentum. I wish him a successful tenure.'
Controversy Before Taking Charge
Notably, Ram's appointment was not without friction. Shortly after being named Odisha's new Governor, he reportedly drew criticism over remarks about strengthening the BJP's organisational base in Odisha and increasing the party's vote share — comments widely seen as straying into partisan territory for a constitutional head. This comes amid broader debate in India over governors making statements that appear to reflect party interests rather than the neutrality expected of the office.
Point of View
But the pre-appointment remarks about bolstering BJP's vote share in Odisha sit uneasily with the constitutional mandate of a governor to remain above partisan politics. This is not an isolated tension — India has seen repeated debates over governors acting as extensions of the ruling party at the Centre rather than as independent constitutional heads. For Odisha, a state where the BJP won power only in 2024, the optics of a governor publicly aligned with party organisational goals could complicate his relationship with the legislature over time. Whether Ram chooses to govern as a neutral constitutional authority or remains a visible BJP face will define the political temperature at Raj Bhavan in the months ahead.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Braj Mohan Ram, the new Governor of Odisha?
Braj Mohan Ram is a veteran BJP leader and one of the prominent Dalit faces of the party in Jharkhand. He comes from a farming family, served as an MLA in undivided Bihar, and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Palamu three times — in 1996, 1998, and 1999. He also served as in-charge of the State Scheduled Caste Morcha and worked to establish educational institutions in Chandwa.
Who administered the oath to the new Odisha Governor?
The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Justice Harish Tandon, Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, at the swearing-in ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on 18 October 2026.
Who did Braj Mohan Ram replace as Odisha Governor?
Braj Mohan Ram replaced Hari Babu Kambhampati as the Governor of Odisha.
What controversy surrounded Braj Mohan Ram's appointment?
Shortly after being named the new Governor of Odisha, Ram reportedly drew criticism for making remarks about strengthening the BJP's organisational base in the state and increasing the party's vote share — comments seen as inappropriate for a constitutional office that is expected to remain politically neutral.
What did Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi say about the new governor?
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated Ram and expressed hope that Odisha's development journey would gain further momentum under the new Governor's guidance, wishing him a successful tenure.
