Bhubaneswar: A day after Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi met Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati at Raj Bhavan, BJP state president Manmohan Samal on Tuesday reached New Delhi adding fuel to the buzz over possible expansion of the ministry.
He is being accompanied by BJP state general secretary Manas Mohanty.
Party sources said that Samal is also likely to get approval of the central leadership to finalise the team of state office bearers as an organisational rejig has become imperative.
While Samal is on a four-day visit to Delhi, sources added that CM Majhi is also expected to travel to the national capital in a day or two.
After assuming charge as BJP chief in Odisha earlier this month, Samal confirmed that the party was actively working on appointment of new chairpersons of different boards and corporations and internal organisational restructuring. He also hinted at an imminent expansion of the state cabinet with six ministerial berths currently lying vacant. “The BJP is committed to strengthen governance in the state and fulfil all the promises made to the people. The cabinet expansion is expected to bring new talent and expertise into the government, enabling it to address the state’s development needs more effectively,” he had said.
This was followed by the CM’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top functionaries of the party including national general secretary (organisation) BL Santosh in Delhi. Samal was also in Delhi during the same time.
Back-to-Back Meetings
Hours after his meeting with the CM at Raj Bhawan on Monday, the Governor, in an unusual departure from protocol, visited the official residence of Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan.
While this set the grapevine afire, Harichandan maintained that the visit of the Governor was personal.
After his discussion with the CM, Kambhampati wrote: “We had a cordial discussion on Odisha’s development roadmap and ways to strengthen governance and public welfare.” Later, after meeting Minister Harichandan, he stated: “Had a meaningful discussion on Odisha’s development agenda and the path ahead for driving inclusive, sustainable progress across the state.”
The mention of “strengthening governance” in his post after the meeting with the CM, which the latter’s office termed as a courtesy call, led to speculation about a possible cabinet expansion or long-awaited reshuffle.