BJP to Finalize Odisha CM Selection Today; Oath Ceremony Tomorrow

The BJP is set to convene a meeting at 4:30 PM today to choose the next Chief Minister of Odisha, with the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for Wednesday at 5 PM. Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, the BJP’s Odisha in-charge, confirmed the timing and agenda, stating, “The legislature party meeting will be held on Tuesday, and the new government will take oath on June 12.”Senior leaders and newly-appointed observers Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav will lead the discussions with the legislators, according to BJP spokesperson Suresh Pujari. Despite the BJP winning 78 seats in the 147-member assembly, securing a majority, a leader for the CM position has yet to be chosen.Dharmendra Pradhan, a senior Odisha MP recently appointed to the Modi 3.0 government, appears less likely to be considered for the role. Instead, focus has shifted to Brajarajnagar MLA-elect Suresh Pujari, who returned from New Delhi on Monday. Addressing rumors about CAG Girish Chandra Murmu being a potential candidate for CM, Tomar stated, “There is nothing of that sort. I have no knowledge about it. However, everything will be decided in the BJP legislature party meeting on Tuesday.”