'Will work to strengthen party in Odisha': Guv-designate's remark sparks row, oppn slams BJP
Bhubaneswar: Odisha governor-designate Braj Mohan Ram has landed in a political controversy days before his swearing-in after saying he would work to strengthen the BJP ’s organisational base and plan how to garner more votes for the party in the state, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition BJD and Congress over the propriety of such remarks by a person set to occupy a constitutional office.
Speaking to news agency PTI in Ranchi on Tuesday, a day after the three-time former BJP MP from Jharkhand was named to succeed Hari Babu Kambhampati as Odisha governor, Ram said, “I continued to serve as a committed BJP worker despite being denied a ticket thrice. In Odisha also, I will work to make our organisation more active and plan how to garner more votes for the BJP.”
The opposition parties said a governor is expected to remain above partisan politics and uphold the Constitution impartially. The BJP, however, hit back, accusing the BJD and Congress of creating an unnecessary controversy before Ram formally assumed office.
BJD president and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik took a swipe at the governor-designate, while expressing hope that he would discharge his constitutional responsibilities impartially.
“The people of Odisha are witnessing the enthusiasm of the governor-designate for undertaking party work. I hope Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath bestows upon him the zeal and strength to serve the people of Odisha, enabling him to fulfil his responsibilities impartially while upholding the dignity of the Constitution,” Naveen wrote on X.
BJD Rajya Sabha member Santrupt Misra was more sarcastic in his response. “Democracy’s new definition — prioritizing party interests while holding a constitutional post! Truly admirable! We need exactly such honest and transparent systems! If more governors like this are appointed, there’s no doubt that our democracy will certainly be strengthened!” Misra posted on X.
Congress Odisha president Bhakta Charan Das said the governor’s responsibility was to uphold the Constitution impartially, not advance the electoral interests of any political party. “Constitutional offices must remain above partisan politics,” Das posted on X.
Defending Ram, BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra accused the opposition of dragging the governor-designate into an avoidable controversy before his oath-taking.
“The governor is yet to formally assume office. He is aware of his constitutional obligations. BJD and Congress should refrain from dragging him into unnecessary controversy,” Mohapatra said.
Speaking to news agency PTI in Ranchi on Tuesday, a day after the three-time former BJP MP from Jharkhand was named to succeed Hari Babu Kambhampati as Odisha governor, Ram said, “I continued to serve as a committed BJP worker despite being denied a ticket thrice. In Odisha also, I will work to make our organisation more active and plan how to garner more votes for the BJP.”
The opposition parties said a governor is expected to remain above partisan politics and uphold the Constitution impartially. The BJP, however, hit back, accusing the BJD and Congress of creating an unnecessary controversy before Ram formally assumed office.
BJD president and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik took a swipe at the governor-designate, while expressing hope that he would discharge his constitutional responsibilities impartially.
“The people of Odisha are witnessing the enthusiasm of the governor-designate for undertaking party work. I hope Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath bestows upon him the zeal and strength to serve the people of Odisha, enabling him to fulfil his responsibilities impartially while upholding the dignity of the Constitution,” Naveen wrote on X.
BJD Rajya Sabha member Santrupt Misra was more sarcastic in his response. “Democracy’s new definition — prioritizing party interests while holding a constitutional post! Truly admirable! We need exactly such honest and transparent systems! If more governors like this are appointed, there’s no doubt that our democracy will certainly be strengthened!” Misra posted on X.
Congress Odisha president Bhakta Charan Das said the governor’s responsibility was to uphold the Constitution impartially, not advance the electoral interests of any political party. “Constitutional offices must remain above partisan politics,” Das posted on X.
Defending Ram, BJP spokesperson Manoj Mohapatra accused the opposition of dragging the governor-designate into an avoidable controversy before his oath-taking.
“The governor is yet to formally assume office. He is aware of his constitutional obligations. BJD and Congress should refrain from dragging him into unnecessary controversy,” Mohapatra said.
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