Bhubaneswar: Veteran leader Manmohan Samal has been reappointed as the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Odisha unit, a decision that has been met with enthusiastic welcome from state leaders, including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Shri Samal’s re-election marks his fourth term in the crucial organizational role, underscoring the party’s continued faith in his leadership following the BJP’s resounding success in the recent 2024 Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state.
The formal announcement of Shri Samal’s unopposed election was made today by BJP’s central election observer Sanjay Jaiswal at the party’s state headquarters in Bhubaneswar. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, along with his council of ministers, national vice-president Baijayant Jay Panda, party MPs, MLAs, and other senior functionaries, were present to felicitate Shri Samal, highlighting the strong unity within the state unit.
Shri Samal’s previous tenures include 1999-2000, 2000-2004, and most recently from March 2023. His leadership in the 2024 elections was particularly impactful, guiding the party to form its first government in Odisha by ending the 24-year rule of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and securing an impressive 20 out of 21 Lok Sabha seats.
Hailing from the OBC community, which constitutes a significant portion of Odisha’s population, Shri Samal’s reappointment is seen as a strategic move to further consolidate the party’s base. His strong organizational skills and grassroots connect are widely credited for the BJP’s growth in the state.
Political observers believe that the continuity in leadership, with Shri Samal at the helm of the party and Mohan Charan Majhi as Chief Minister, will facilitate smoother coordination between the government and the party, paving the way for effective governance and the implementation of the BJP’s promises for a ‘Viksit Odisha by 2036’.