BJP's Strategic Move: Selecting Odisha's New Chief Minister

The BJP has assigned Rajnath Singh and Bhupendra Yadav to oversee the selection of Odisha's new chief minister, following their majority win in the state assembly. With the likes of Suresh Pujari and Manmohan Samal among the contenders, the decision-making process and the upcoming government swearing-in ceremony are highly anticipated.

The BJP has strategically appointed Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Bhupendra Yadav to oversee the selection of the next chief minister of Odisha, a senior party leader announced on Monday. Following their significant victory by securing 78 seats in the 147-member Odisha Assembly on June 4, the saffron party needs to decide who will lead the state.

Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, the BJP's Odisha in-charge, revealed that a legislature party meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, with the new government set to take oath on June 12. According to MLA-elect Suresh Pujari, experienced leaders, guided by newly-appointed observers Singh and Yadav, will engage in discussions with the legislators.

While the chances of senior Odisha MP Dharmendra Pradhan becoming the next chief minister seem slim following his induction into the Modi 3.0 government, the focus has shifted to Brajarajnagar MLA-elect Suresh Pujari, who recently returned from New Delhi.

In addition to Pujari, other contenders for the chief minister's post include state BJP president Manmohan Samal, KV Singh, and Mohan Majhi. The party is also planning a roadshow featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the state capital before the swearing-in ceremony on June 12.

Notably, the BJP secured a remarkable victory by winning 20 out of 21 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha.