Bhubaneswar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha is all set to witness a cabinet expansion soon, state party president Manmohan Samal said on Wednesday.
A day after taking charge as BJP’s Odisha unit president for the fourth time, Samal told reporters that discussions with the central leaders have already been held regarding the expansion of the Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Emphasising that Cabinet expansion will take place very soon, the veteran leader said that BJP is committed to strengthening governance and fulfilling the promises to the people of the state.
Apart from Cabinet expansion, steps will also be taken for appointment of chairpersons of different boards and corporations run by state government very soon, Samal said while responding to queries.
Two rounds of meetings have already been held and a list has been prepared, he said, adding that appointment to these positions will be made following further deliberations.
Speculations about ministry expansion have been going on in political circles and among party workers as the BJP formed the government in the state on its own more than a year ago after its landslide victory in the 2024 elections,
Even though BJP has been in power for over a year in the state, six ministerial posts are still lying vacant. The state can have a maximum of 22 ministers including the Chief Minister. However, there are a total of 16 ministers including the Chief Minister, two Deputy Chief Ministers, eight Cabinet Ministers and five Ministers of State at present.
There has been talk that some of the Ministers may lose Ministerial positions based on their performance. It is being speculated that Ministers who have failed to perform well in the last nine months, and those who have been making controversial statements may be dropped.
The cabinet expansion likely to ensure a balance in regional representation, caste diversity, and administrative experience. With several key portfolios still vacant and demands rising from various districts, the BJP leadership is expected to induct new faces to ensure smoother governance and broader outreach.
Manmohan Samal, who has been re-elected for a fourth term as BJP’s Odisha unit president, has been instrumental in coordinating between the party and the government. His leadership is seen as pivotal in maintaining unity and driving the party’s grassroots agenda forward.
Expansion of the ministry is also likely to address internal aspirations within the party, especially among leaders who played significant roles during the election campaign but are yet to be accommodated in governance.
