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 was attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s prior commitments.
The Prime Minister designate is engaged in his own swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, followed by a meeting with party MPs the next day.
Additionally, the first legislature party meeting of the newly elected members is now set for June 11.
During the election campaign, Modi had announced that Odisha’s first BJP government would be sworn in on June 10. BJP state president Manmohan Samal had reiterated this on Saturday.
However, the decision to change the date was taken on Sunday, according to party sources.
Notably, suspense surrounds the appointment of the new Chief Minister. Senior BJP leader and newly elected MLA Suresh Pujari's sudden trip to New Delhi has sparked speculation that he might be a prime contender for the top post.
Pujari, who was elected to the Lok Sabha from Bargarh in the 2019 elections, secured a recent victory from the Brajarajnagar assembly constituency.
His supporters speculate that he was summoned to New Delhi for consultations with central leaders.
The BJP central leadership has yet to finalise a candidate for the Chief Minister position. Odisha BJP unit president Manmohan Samal advised media persons to await a clear picture, which is expected to emerge within two days.
After his return from New Delhi, Samal mentioned that the BJP parliamentary board would decide on the Chief Minister at its forthcoming meeting.
The BJP won a comfortable majority in the 147-member Assembly, securing 78 seats. The party campaigned under Modi’s leadership without naming a chief ministerial candidate.
Meanwhile, extensive preparations are underway for the oath-taking ceremony, which is scheduled to take place at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar.
The BJP’s victory marks a significant political shift in Odisha, where the party will form its first government.
The state has historically been a stronghold of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), making the BJP’s win a landmark achievement.
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