Bhubaneswar: A formal notification was issued on Sunday by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the election of its Odisha unit president, setting in motion the process to select a new leader to steer the party in the state.
As per the schedule fixed in the notification, filing of nomination by aspirants is set to be held on Monday. If a consensus is not reached through the nomination process, an election will be held for the top post on July 8. The name of the new president will be declared the same day.
Ahead of the crucial exercise, BJP’s Odisha in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar has already arrived in Bhubaneswar. Central observer Sanjay Jaiswal is also expected to reach the state capital on Monday to oversee the nomination and election procedure.
Notably, BJP has been traditionally following the practice of following a consensus-based approach to elect its state leadership.
Speaking on the issue, Tomar told reporters that the election was postponed in view of the tragic stampede incident that took place during Rath Yatra festival in Puri. The election, if required, will be held on June 8 and the results announced on the same day, he said
Describing it as a democratic process, Tomar said those who want to be in the race for the post are free to file nomination. However, as per the tradition, BJP has opted for a consensus-based approach to elect its state leadership, he added.
BJP state president Manmohan Samal said that a new face will soon take charge as the state party chief and that he will continue to serve the party with same commitment and dedication as he has been doing for the last 50 years.
