BJP to Pick Odisha CM Based on Modi's Criteria: Manmohan Samal

Bhubaneswar: After registering a thumping victory in both Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit of Odisha appears to be on cloud nine now.

The party, while celebrating the astounding victory across the state, is also making all preparations for formation of the new government in the state.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Odisha state BJP unit president Manmohan Samal said people had tremendous faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and they voted for a change in the state.

“It was people of Odisha who were fighting the elections as they were fed up with the corrupt governance of the BJD. The election was to restore Odia Asmita, culture and tradition. The people trusted BJP’s assurances and the new government will certainly work for them. People have rejected the idea of a non-Odia CM and voted for BJP,” said Samal.

To a query on who will be the next chief minister of the state, Manmohan said the party’s Parliamentary Board will take a decision on the matter in the next one or two days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier announced the date for the oath-taking ceremony for the party’s CM on June 10.

“The selection of CM candidate will be based on the criteria set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that an Odia son or daughter will be the next Chief Minister to uphold the culture and tradition,” said Samal.

To another query, the BJP president said, “I had earlier said that the people of Odisha would fight elections and the BJP would come to power with a thumping majority. This has happened.”

Samal said the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana card will change and Ayushman Bharat scheme will be implemented in Odisha in its place. “The 1.5 crore Odia people staying outside will also get benefits,” he said.

“Ayushman Bharat is a populist scheme and it will be implemented after the new government takes oath. The BJP will fulfill all the commitments it has made to the people of Odisha. Be it the issue of opening of Ratna Bhandar or unlocking the gates of Srimandir, procuring paddy at Rs 3100 per quintal, work on these will begin soon,” said Samal.

The BJP won 78 of the 147 assembly seats in the state. Of the 21 Lok Sabha seats, it bagged 20 while one seat went to the Congress.