Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi's Delhi Trip Amid VP Polls

Bhubaneswar, Sep 8 (PTI) A day after BJD president Naveen Patnaik traveled to Delhi, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also left for the national capital on Monday, with the vice presidential elections looming. In Delhi, he may hold a strategic meeting with BJP MPs from Odisha to discuss the impending vice presidential polls scheduled for Tuesday, according to sources. He plans to return to Odisha following the polls on the same day. Majhi's recent trip to Delhi follows his return to Odisha on September 5, after a five-day stint at the national capital.

Out of Odisha's 31 MPs (21 in Lok Sabha and 10 in Rajya Sabha), the BJP constitutes the largest group with 23 members who will cast their votes in the vice presidential elections. The BJD maintains seven MPs in Rajya Sabha, while the Congress has a single Lok Sabha MP representing the state. Majhi is anticipated to convene with BJP legislators from Odisha at the official residence of Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi in Delhi, as indicated by sources.

It is speculated that Majhi might directly head to Sarangi's residence from the airport. In addition to the chief minister, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal, the state's party in-charge Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, and other senior leaders are expected to partake in the meeting, the sources suggested.

The visit of BJD leader Patnaik, who also serves as the opposition leader in the state assembly, is notable as his party is yet to declare its stance on the vice presidential elections. During his stay in Delhi, Patnaik might meet with the party's seven MPs. In an X post on Sunday night, the BJD supremo stated, "I am in Delhi for a few days for some social commitments." However, BJD sources asserted that Patnaik will ensure his party MPs present a consistent stand during the polls, especially after facing criticism for split-voting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, with five BJD MPs supporting, one opposing, and another abstaining from the vote.

In addition to the vice presidential polls, Majhi is anticipated to discuss with senior BJP leaders the expansion of his ministerial council, according to sources. Though approximately 15 months have elapsed since the BJP formed its inaugural government in Odisha, nearly six ministerial posts have yet to be filled, leaving many ministers to juggle multiple portfolios and impacting their overall effectiveness, they noted. In a similar vein, chairpersons for various state-run corporations and boards are still awaiting appointments.