Sundargarh: Veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and incumbent Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram has announced his decision to retire from electoral politics, stating he will not contest any further elections.
The Member of Parliament from Sundargarh made the declaration, signalling the end of a long and distinguished career spanning over three decades.
Shri Oram, a prominent tribal face in national politics and a five-time MP from Sundargarh, has been a significant figure in the BJP, serving multiple terms as Union Minister for Tribal Affairs.
His political journey began in 1989 when he joined the BJP, and he was first elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Bonai in 1990. He made his Lok Sabha debut from Sundargarh in 1998 and has since been a consistent voice for tribal welfare and development.
Having served as the country’s first Union Minister for Tribal Affairs under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999, and subsequently under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shri Oram has been instrumental in shaping policies aimed at the upliftment of tribal communities. He has been re-elected to the Lok Sabha in the recent 2024 general elections, reaffirming his continued public support.
While Shri Oram has not yet elaborated on his future plans beyond electoral politics, his announcement marks a significant moment for the BJP in Odisha and for tribal politics in India.
His vast experience and deep understanding of tribal issues are expected to remain valuable assets, potentially in advisory or party organizational roles.
His decision is seen by some as a move to pave the way for new leadership within the party, a sentiment he had reportedly expressed earlier, indicating his intent to make way for the next generation after completing 35 years in electoral politics.