Odisha’s first BJP government will be sworn in on June 12, say party leaders

The swearing-in ceremony for the first BJP government in Odisha has been moved from June 10 to June 12, party leaders Jatin Mohanty and Vijaypal Singh Tomar confirmed here on Sunday.

Mohanty explained that the postponement was due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitments.

Modi will be busy with his own swearing-in ceremony on Sunday and with party MPs the next day. In addition, the first party meeting of the newly elected members is now scheduled for June 11.

During the election campaign, Modi had said that Odisha’s first BJP government would be sworn in on June 10. BJP state president Manmohan Samal had also confirmed this on Saturday.

However, the decision to change the date was taken on Sunday, party sources said.

Meanwhile, tension still remains over the new Prime Minister. Senior BJP leader and newly elected MLA Suresh Pujari rushed to New Delhi, sparking speculation that he may be one of the leading contenders for the top post, sources said.

Pujari, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Bargarh in the 2019 polls, won the recent elections from Brajarajnagar constituency. His supporters believe he was called to New Delhi for talks with central leaders.

While the BJP’s central leadership is yet to find any leader for the CM post, Odisha party president Manmohan Samal told reporters on Saturday that they had to wait for two more days for a clear picture to emerge.

After returning from New Delhi, Samal said that the BJP parliamentary board would take a decision on the chief minister during its meeting.

The BJP secured a comfortable majority in the 147-member Assembly, winning 78 seats. Under Modi’s leadership, the party went to the elections without naming a prime ministerial candidate.

Meanwhile, preparations have started for organizing the oath-taking ceremony at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar.

First print: June 9, 2024 | 3:14 PM IST