Odisha BJP expansion: CM Mohan Charan Majhi meets Modi amid buzz over cabinet upgrade in the state

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi, further fuelling speculations about the expansion of the one-year-old BJP ministry in the state.

A day after getting re-elected as the state BJP president, Manmohan Samal on Wednesday had said at Bhubaneswar that CM Majhi would be expanding his ministry very soon.

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On June 12, Odisha’s first 16-member BJP ministry had taken their oath at Bhubaneswar under the CM Majhi. This included two Deputy Chief Ministers as well: K.V. Singhdeo from Western Odisha and Pravati Parida from the coastal region, with the latter becoming the first female Deputy CM from the state.

The oath-taking ceremony was a grand public affair held at the Janta Maidan of the capital city, with Prime Minister Modi, Union Ministers belonging to the BJP, and Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states in attendance. Yet, a big vacancy in the council of ministers raised lot of questions, because the ministry could have up to 22 members.

BJP experimented with its first tribal-origin chief minister in Majhi as tribals constitute 23 per cent of Odisha's population, against all India share of 8 per cent.

However, Majhi did not have the requisite ministerial experience, though he was the Deputy Chief Whip during the BJD-BJP coalition ministry under former CM Naveen Patnaik. CM Majhi retained many key portfolios such as Home, General Administration, Finance, and Water Resources, so it was expected that his ministry—having six more vacancies—may be expanded soon his government completes one year in office.

The BJP has been projecting ‘Samrudh Odisha, Viksit Bharat’ as its motto in the state, keeping in mind 2036 as the centenary year of Odisha’s formation, and 2047 as the 100th year of India’s independence in view.

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The Modi-Majhi meeting likely reflects a strong synergy, essential for fulfilling their shared vision.

In an X statement on Saturday, CM Majhi conveyed his deep gratitude to PM Modi for his unwavering inspiration and support for Odisha’s growth journey.

“On this occasion, important discussions were held regarding various developmental activities in Odisha: future strategies, coordination between the Center and the State, and accelerating the state’s overall progress.”

This high-level meeting is seen as a reaffirmation of both leaders’ commitment to cooperative federalism and inclusive governance.

However, it must be noted that nothing has been said officially about the expansion of the state ministry.

State BJP president Samal has only declared that the “expansion will happen soon, though there is no set deadline”.

The expansion of the state BJP ministry is said to be facing delays due to issues such as the mismanagement of the Puri Rath Yatra, a gangrape, a Dalit attack incident in Ganjam, and an attack on a senior government officer at the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation by BJP workers during office hours, pushing the party into a tight corner.

Also, former Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik's departure to Mumbai on the same day that Modi visited Bhubaneswar to attend the government’s anniversary programme led to public sympathy for Patnaik.

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There was big gathering to see him off at the airport, with an equally big gathering to welcome him on July 11, following a successful spine surgery for cervical arthritis.

On Friday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi‘s first public meeting at Bhubaneswar after the general elections drew a sizeable crowd, despite the rainy season, showing that it was being taken seriously by political circles.

Amidst all this, a likely expansion of the state ministry could divert everybody’s attention.

CM Majhi has also met the saffron party's National General Secretary Tarun Chugh at Delhi. Though this signals a deeper cooperation between state and central leadership, it is said to be a courtesy meeting primarily revolving around Odisha’s development.

After the possible expansion, political appointments for public sector undertakings and boards are likely to follow.

India