Ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda on Thursday appointed former State Minister Manmohan Samal as the party’s Odisha president.

Taking the 2024 polls very seriously, the BJP first appointed ace organiser Sunil Bansal as in-charge of its State unit. Then, senior MLA and strong Naveen Patnaik Government critic Jayanarayan Mishra was named as Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly. Now, Samal’s appointment further indicates the BJP’s determination for a strong electoral fight against the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). 

Samal thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, JP Nadda, Amit Shah and other central leaders for giving him the crucial responsibility.     

“Fed up with the BJD Government, the people of Odisha are waiting for an alternative Government. We will all work hard with a collective effort, collective leadership and collective decision to fulfil the desire of the people,” Samal told the media. 

The BJP would provide an alternative Government by replacing the “corrupt” BJD regime in the 2024 elections, he asserted.
“During my last tenure as BJP State president, the BJP had come to power with a coalition with the BJD, but this time, the BJP alone will form Government,” he claimed.  
Samal was made the BJP State chief at the end of the three-year tenure of Samir Mohanty.
BJP MLA Subash Panigrahi said Samal has vast experience and organisational skill which he proved in the Dhamnagar Assembly by-poll which the BJP won. 
In fact, a leader from coastal district Bhadrak, Samal played a vital role in the party’s victory in the Dhamnagar by-poll held held in November last year.