As Governor SC Jamir returned here on Sunday after his New Delhi visit, speculations intensified further about an impending reshuffle in the Naveen Patnaik Ministry that recently completed two years of its fourth term.
The Chief Minister is known to have effected changes in his teams at the end of their two years in each term.
This time too, the Chief Minister has made a list and is likely to send it to the Governor for his formal concurrence and setting time for oath-taking ceremony, according to sources.
There is also a buzz that the Chief Minister would oust some outspoken senior Ministers and some scam-tainted Ministers from his team. A host of senior BJD MlAs are waiting to get berths in the Ministry.
When asked to comment on the possible Ministry reshuffle, Cooperation and Excise Minister Dr Damodar Rout said, “So long as I enjoy the confidence of the Chief Minister, I am a Minister.”
Similarly, School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra said, “It (Ministerial reshuffle) is the prerogative of a Chief Minister. Hence, it depends on the CM as to whom he would take and whom he would drop.”