Sambalpur: Veteran BJP leader and Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Saturday announced that he will no longer contest elections, and said youngsters should get more opportunities in active politics in Odisha.
“During the last elections, I had made it clear that I would not contest Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha polls again. It is time now to pave the way for the younger generation,” the veteran tribal leader said at a Rozgar Mela in Sambalpur.
Oram, who represents the Sundargarh in Lok Sabha, made it clear that he is not going to retire from politics despite his decision to stay away from direct electoral contests.
“I do not want to contest direct elections. However, I will continue to serve the people and the party and take up responsibilities assigned to me. If the party nominates me for the Rajya Sabha, appoints me as Governor, or urges me to contest, I cannot refuse,” the 64-year-old BJP heavyweight said.
Stating that he has so far contested elections ten times, eight times for Lok Sabha and twice for Assembly, the Union Minister said he is in favour of encouraging youngsters in politics.
With a distinguished political career spanning over three decades, Oram was first elected to the Odisha Assembly from Bonai in 1990 and served two terms until 1998. He entered Lok Sabha from Sundargarh in 1998 and was re-elected in 1999, when he was inducted into the Union Cabinet as the first Minister of Tribal Affairs. He was also elected to Lok Sabha in 2004, 2014, 2019, and 2024.
