As leadership transition nears, party aims for consensus but keeps voting option open
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha has officially begun the process to elect a new state president, issuing a formal notification on Sunday ahead of the crucial leadership change. As per the schedule, nomination papers will be filed on Monday. If consensus — a preferred tradition in the party’s organisational decisions — is not achieved, voting will take place on Tuesday, July 8. Results will be declared the same day, party sources confirmed.
BJP’s Odisha in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar has arrived in Bhubaneswar to oversee preparations, while Central Observer Sanjay Jaiswal is expected on Monday to supervise the nomination and election proceedings. The transition comes just a year after the BJP scripted history by forming its first-ever government in Odisha, ending more than two decades of BJD rule. The new state president is expected to play a key role in steering party organisation, governance coordination, and electoral strategy.
Speaking to reporters, Tomar said, “The election was postponed due to the Rath Yatra incident in Puri. We’re now moving ahead with the July 8 timeline. Though it’s a democratic process, BJP traditionally prefers consensus in leadership choices.” Current BJP state president Manmohan Samal, under whose leadership the party rose to power in the state, hinted at his exit. “A new face will soon take over. This victory is the result of our collective effort. I will continue to serve the party as I have over the last 50 years,” Samal stated. As Odisha BJP moves towards a crucial leadership transition, attention is now focused on whether unity will prevail or if the party will witness a rare internal contest.
