Sambalpur: Even as the BJD is gearing up to form the next government after a landslide win for the party in the Assembly elections, supporters of Rairakhol MLA Rohit Pujari are hopeful of a ministerial berth for him in the cabinet. Political circles are abuzz with talks of the possibility of inducting leaders from Sambalpur into the cabinet.
In Sambalpur, the BJD and the BJP have acquired two seats each in the recently concluded polls.
BJD’s Kishore Chandra Nayak was elected from Kuchinda while Rohit Pujari was again elected from Rairakhol. The wining margins for the ruling party MLAs were more than those in the 2014 elections.
Pujari defeated his rival Congress’ Asaf Ali Khan by a margin of 16, 632 votes.
Some poll pundits and supporter say the newly elected Kuchinda MLA has disadvantage of inexperience. In view of this, Pujari has advantage of being inducted into the ministry so as to keep the people of western Odisha in good humour.
In 2014, the name of Pujari did the rounds for possible ministerial portfolio, but it did not happen.
Rohit Pujari and Raseswari Panigrahi were not given any ministerial berths that time due to some controversies. Sushant Singh elected from Bhatli and Snehangini Chhuria elected from Attabira had been inducted into the ministry in 2014.
As none is in the race in Sambalpur for ministerial berth, the way is paved for Pujari to possibly get one this time, his supporters and well wishers say.
Besides, Pujari had strengthened the party orgnaisation earlier and had been made president of the BJD’s district unit.
The civil body poll is a few months away. If Pujari is given a ministry, party workers will be encouraged to work harder and fortify the organisation.
Pujari is now chairperson of the lift irrigation corporation.
PNN
