The Odisha unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to elect its new state president, with nominations being filed today, July 7, 2025. The election process, which was initially postponed due to a tragic stampede during the Rath Yatra festival in Puri, is now underway.
Key Highlights:
- Nomination Process: Interested candidates can file their nominations from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm today. The final list of candidates will be published at 4:30 pm, followed by the distribution of election symbols.
- Election and Results: If more than one candidate files nominations, voting will be held tomorrow, July 8, and the results will be announced on the same day.
- Returning Officer and Observer: MP Pratap Sarangi has been appointed as the returning officer, while Bihar MP Sanjay Jaiswal has been appointed as an observer from the center. State in-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar has also reached Bhubaneswar to oversee the election process.
Potential Candidates:
- Manmohan Samal: The current president, who led the party to victory in the recent assembly elections, breaking the 24-year-old BJD government. There is speculation that he may be re-appointed as the president.
- Other Potential Candidates: Several senior leaders are reportedly expecting for the position, although no other names have been officially confirmed. Kandhamal MP Sukant Kumar Panigrahi has ruled out contesting the election, while Bargarh MLA Pradeep Purohit has expressed support for Manmohan Samal's re-election.
Voter List:
- Final List: The party has published a final list of 273 voters, including district presidents, state councilors, elected MLAs and MPs, and 10% of the representatives.