by Aswini Kumar Darjee
Bhubaneswar- As Chief Minister Mohan Majhi prepares for the much-anticipated expansion of his cabinet, political circles in Odisha are abuzz with speculation and strategic calculations. With 21 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state and 21 ministerial berths (excluding the CM himself), sources indicate a possible formula in which each parliamentary segment could get representation through one minister. If this equation holds true, it could serve as a tactical move to strengthen BJP’s ground network ahead of upcoming local body elections.
The Majhi cabinet currently has 15 ministers, including 10 cabinet ministers and 5 ministers of state (independent charge). Since the swearing-in on June 13 last year, no reshuffle has taken place. With only 13 districts presently represented, the political heat is rising in the remaining 17 districts that have no ministerial voice in the current dispensation.
Deliberations have reportedly begun over who stays and who may be shown the door. Performance reviews are underway, and ministers with underwhelming track records could be replaced. On the other hand, many MLAs—especially first-timers and those who won against high-profile BJD candidates—are seen as strong contenders for ministerial roles.
Names like Amar Nayak from Barchana, who defeated BJD’s Barsha Priyadarshini, Akash Das Nayak from Korei, Simulia’s Padmalochan Panda, Sambalpur veteran Jay Narayan Mishra, and Kantabanji MLA Laxman Bag are in the race. Others like Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh, Udala’s Bhaskar Madhei, and Digapahandi’s Siddhant Mohapatra are also being actively discussed. Bargarh MLA Ashwini Sarangi, Former BJYM President and Bhatli MLA Irashish Acharya, as well as women leaders like Sanjali Murmu (Bangiriposi), Upasana Mohapatra (Brahmagiri), and Surama Padhy (Ranpur), are among hopeful aspirants for ministerial inclusion.
Interestingly, despite Ganjam, Mayurbhanj, and Balangir already having two ministers each, the majority of districts still remain unrepresented. Political insiders believe this cabinet rejig aims not only to correct regional imbalances but also to win hearts across all Lok Sabha constituencies.
Majhi’s recent visit to Delhi and his closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi—where he was seen carrying a file—has only added fuel to the reshuffle speculation. With inputs expected from the BJP’s central leadership, final decisions on the new faces and portfolios are likely to be influenced by Delhi’s nod. Alongside the cabinet expansion, discussions are also underway for appointments to state-run corporations and boards.
With local elections around the corner, the move to include one minister from each Lok Sabha constituency may help the BJP consolidate its voter base, reach every region, and deepen its influence in grassroots governance. While anticipation builds, Odisha’s political observers are closely watching how CM Majhi balances performance, representation, caste equations, and loyalty in his upcoming cabinet decisions.
