Odisha: BJP Govt's Oath Ceremony Postponed To June 12, Suresh Pujari In New Delhi Amid CM Speculations

Odisha News: The BJP government's swearing-in has been postponed to 12 due to Narendra Modi's prior commitments. With speculation surrounding Suresh Pujari's name for Chief Minister, he arrived in Delhi today.

File Photo of Senior BJP leader and newly elected Odisha MLA Suresh Pujari ( Image Source :Facebook/@SureshPujariOfficial )

Odisha News: The swearing-in ceremony for Odisha's first BJP government has been rescheduled from June 10 to June 12, party leaders Jatin Mohanty and Vijaypal Singh Tomar confirmed on Sunday. The postponement is due to Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi's commitments, as he will be occupied with his own swearing-in ceremony on Sunday and a meeting with party MPs the following day. The first legislature party meeting of the newly elected members is now set for June 11.

According to news agency PTI, Jatin Mohanty explained, "Given the Prime Minister's schedule, it was necessary to adjust our plans. The new date will allow for his participation."

During the election campaign, Modi had promised that Odisha’s first BJP government would be sworn in on June 10. BJP state president Manmohan Samal had confirmed this date on Saturday. However, the decision to change the date was taken on Sunday, PTI reported party sources as revealing.

Odisha BJP MLA Suresh Pujari Rushes To New Delhi, Triggers Speculation That He Is Contender For CM Post

Suspense remains over the identity of the new chief minister. Senior BJP leader and newly elected MLA Suresh Pujari rushed to New Delhi, triggering speculation that he may be a contender for the top post. Pujari, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Bargarh in the 2019 polls, won the recent election from Brajarajnagar assembly constituency. His supporters believe he was summoned to New Delhi for discussions with central leaders, PTI reported.

Manmohan Samal indicated that the BJP central leadership is yet to finalise any candidate for the chief ministerial position. "We need to wait for two more days for a clear picture to emerge," Samal told reporters on Saturday, as quoted by PTI. Upon returning from New Delhi, Samal mentioned that the BJP parliamentary board would make a decision on the chief minister at its meeting.

The BJP secured a comfortable majority in the 147-member Assembly, winning 78 seats. The party went into the elections under Modi's leadership without naming a chief ministerial candidate. Preparations are underway to organise the oath-taking ceremony at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar.