Will Manmohan Samal Lead Odisha BJP Again?

Bhubaneswar, July 7 (NationPress) Senior BJP leader and current BJP state president Manmohan Samal is poised to take the helm of the Odisha BJP for a second consecutive term, having been the sole candidate to submit his nomination for the position on Monday.

The central observer for the BJP's organizational elections in Odisha, Sanjay Jaiswal, confirmed on Monday that no other nominations were submitted for the state president position.

“One nomination has been filed for the post of State President, while 32 nominations have been submitted for the National Council Member elections. The scrutiny will occur tomorrow between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., with the names of the State President and Council Members to be announced thereafter,” Jaiswal stated.

The party's central leadership has expressed their confidence in Samal due to his pivotal role in the BJP’s historic ascent to power in Odisha, marking the first time since independence in 2024.

Samal has previously served as the president of Odisha BJP on two occasions, from 1999 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2004. He was re-elected as the state BJP president in March 2023 in preparation for the 2024 general elections.

From 2000 to 2004, Samal was a Member of the Rajya Sabha and was elected to the Odisha Assembly from the Dhamnagar constituency in 2004. He also held the position of Minister for Revenue and Food Suppliers & Consumer Welfare in Odisha from 2004 to 2008.

The Odisha Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Suresh Pujari, welcomed the unanimous decision, stating that Samal's leadership would ensure stability, continuity, and strength for the party.

Pujari highlighted Samal’s extensive political experience, noting that this decision reflects the party’s collective confidence in his capability to lead the BJP through upcoming elections and organizational growth.

The Revenue Minister further emphasized that the party leadership believes Samal's expertise should be effectively utilized over the next three years to fortify the BJP in Odisha, ensuring unity and preparedness for forthcoming elections, including panchayat and municipality polls.

Former BJP state president, Basant Panda, also expressed his support for Samal’s unopposed nomination as Odisha BJP President, describing it as a testament to the party’s internal discipline and shared trust in its leadership.

In a statement to the media, Panda remarked that Samal is a committed and dedicated leader, and the organization has shown unwavering faith in his abilities.