Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and state BJP president Manmohan Samal dashed to Delhi on Thursday, sparking speculation about possible cabinet reshuffles in Odisha.
The development triggered intense curiosity as Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s highly-anticipated official tour to Odisha was abruptly cancelled earlier in the day. F
ollowing the cancellation, Samal immediately left for the national capital, closely followed by the Chief Minister after the MoU Signing Ceremony for the proposed Aluminium Project by International Holding Company, UAE (IHC Group), with IPICOL at Lok Seva Bhawan.
Political analysts point to a confluence of factors fuelling the buzz. The BJP-led government in Odisha has completed two years in power, yet six cabinet berths remain vacant. Persistent speculation about a state-level reshuffle and expansion has grown stronger in recent months, with party insiders discussing performance of sitting ministers.
The timing of the Delhi visit also aligns with broader chatter about a possible Union Cabinet reshuffle.
Observers suggest that central leadership may review the performance of sitting ministers for potential portfolio reallocations while considering state leaders’ requests to fill six vacant ministerial positions in Odisha to strengthen governance ahead of future electoral cycles.