Odisha: Cabinet reshuffle tomorrow

The Odisha Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, is set to reshuffle on Monday, with new ministers likely to be appointed, according to officials.

The new ministers will be sworn in at 9.50 a.m. at the Lok Seva Bhavan’s Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar. According to sources, CM Patnaik’s Council of Ministers will undergo a minor reshuffle before next year’s Assembly and General Election.

Following the resignations of two ministers, the Cabinet reshuffle became necessary. Aside from that, one more position is vacant following the January assassination of Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das.

Earlier in the month, Odisha Assembly Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha and two cabinet ministers resigned from their respective posts citing personal reasons, said official sources.

Soon after the Speaker sent his resignation, two Cabinet Ministers namely Samir Ranjan Sash and Srikant Sahu also resigned. Samir Ranjan Sash was the Minister of State in the Ministry of School and Mass Education while Srikant Sahu handled the Ministry of Labour in the state.

The sources added that the resigned leaders will be given organizational responsibility in Biju Janta Dal (BJD) ahead of General Election next year.

Deepali Das, the newly elected MLA of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and daughter of slain Odisha Minister Naba Kishore Das, took oath on May 15, her late father’s birthday. She defeated BJP candidate Tankadhar Tripathy in the Jharsuguda by-election. Deepali was fielded by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in her father’s constituency.