BHUBANESWAR,(Special correspondent): The long-awaited ministry expansion or reshuffle in Odisha, coupled with Manmohan Samal’s recent re-election as BJP state president, has paved the way for the much-anticipated exercise. These developments are believed to have featured prominently in discussions between Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and the central leadership, according to political observers.
After assuming office on June 12 last year, Majhi inducted 14 leaders into his ministry, with expectations that the remaining vacancies would be filled within a month. However, even after completing a year in office, six ministerial positions remain vacant. Last week, CM Majhi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and apprised him of the BJP government’s developmental and welfare initiatives in the state, along with future plans to achieve the vision of a prosperous Odisha.
While the details of their discussions were not made public, the chief minister stated in a social media post that the meeting largely focused on developmental initiatives and accelerating Odisha’s overall economic growth.
> “I had the privilege of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I am grateful for his inspiration and unwavering support for Odisha’s development. On this occasion, we had an important discussion on various developmental works in Odisha, plans, Centre-State coordination, and accelerating the state’s overall progress. The Centre and State are committed to working together to achieve the goal of a prosperous Odisha and a developed India,” Majhi wrote.
Majhi’s meeting with the Prime Minister also assumes significance in the backdrop of the pending cabinet expansion and political appointments to various state-run corporations and boards.
Even after completing one year in office, the chief minister has not expanded his cabinet, which can accommodate six more ministers. Currently, the ministry comprises 15 members, including two deputy chief ministers.
Meanwhile, newly re-elected BJP state president Manmohan Samal announced that the cabinet reshuffle would happen soon, and new chairpersons for state PSUs would also be appointed. Majhi’s meeting with the Prime Minister and top national party functionaries has further fuelled speculations about the imminent exercise to finalise the list.
Party sources said the cabinet expansion was kept on hold pending the election of the state unit president. The re-election of Samal on July 8 has now cleared the way. However, it remains unclear whether the move will merely be an expansion or a full-fledged reshuffle, possibly dropping underperforming ministers.
Sources indicated that the performance of six ministers has disappointed both the chief minister and party high command. Rising discontent among government employees, a spurt in crimes such as rape and murder, and the overall deterioration in law and order have made the government cautious. In such a scenario, the leadership is reportedly inclined to drop the underperforming ministers to demonstrate accountability to the public.
It is also learnt that the chief minister is keen on ensuring representation in the ministry from each parliamentary constituency. During the BJD regime, eastern Odisha and Ganjam were disproportionately favoured, with four ministerial berths including the chief ministership. Even in the current BJP ministry, western Odisha holds a significant share, followed by the eastern region. Several districts remain unrepresented, prompting the leadership to deliberate carefully. Given the cap of 21 ministerial berths against 30 districts, the government is reportedly considering the 21 Lok Sabha constituencies as the basis for allocation.
Currently, Ganjam district holds two ministerial berths, which aligns with its two parliamentary segments. However, the performance of the two ministers from Ganjam is reportedly below expectations, amid allegations of rampant corruption and ineffective leadership.
BJP has 11 MLAs from Ganjam district. If the two current ministers are dropped, sources say, Ganjam will still retain two berths under the parliamentary-segment norm. Aspirants from Ganjam are now waiting breathlessly, with crossed fingers, to see who makes it to the final list.
However, sources added that accommodating those left out of the ministry will not be difficult, as they can be appointed to various corporations and boards. Southern Odisha’s representation is also under review, especially considering the party’s poor performance in the region during the last general election and the approaching panchayat polls.
