Bhubaneswar: A two-time legislator from Odisha’s Redhakhol, Rohit Pujari made his debut in Naveen Patnaik’s ministry in June 2022 and succeeded Arun Kumar Sahoo as Higher Education Minister. In about a year, the CM on Friday showed him the door.
What could be the reasons prompting such action months ahead of twin elections in Odisha? Here are a few plausible explanations:
Poor Performance? Pujari, going by sources in the ruling dispensation, did not meet expectations as a minister. Huge pendency of files is said to have made the powers that be unhappy. Earlier his OSD as well as private secretary had been replaced, giving indications to Pujari that all was not well.
Also Read: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik Drops Rohit Pujari As Higher Education Minister
Tussle With Higher Education Secretary: Pujari and Higher Education Secretary Bishnupada Sethi were reportedly not sharing the best of terms, adversely affecting performance of the department. File disposal had suffered a lot as a consequence.
Change In Political Dynamics: Pujari is said to have fallen from the party bosses’ grace in recent months due to changes in the political scenario, especially after the murder of Naba Kishore Das. Pujari’s organisational skills and commitment to constituency work have come under the party leadership’s lens with a powerful BJD faction in western Odisha opposed to him. Pujari was also not named as a star campaigner in the recent Jharsuguda by-election though is a two-time MLA from nearby constituency.
Netas Should Retire Post 60 Statement: In the last week of May, Pujari stirred a controversy by stating that political leaders should retire after attaining 60 years of age. Though he subsequently clarified that his remark was made in the context of Redhakhol constituency and local leaders, the statement is believed to have upset the ruling coterie.
Comeback For Sushanta Singh? The Bhatli MLA was reportedly aggrieved after failing to become a minister in the recent cabinet expansion in May. Some of his supporters even went on record expressing their displeasure, leading to CM Naveen Patnaik meeting Singh for a discussion. Singh belongs to western Odisha like Pujari whose exit might pave the way for his return.
Also Read: Odisha Cabinet Expansion: How Susanta Singh Camp In BJD Will React After His Exclusion?
