BJD slams new Odisha governor’s pledge to boost BJP

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday denounced a comment by Odisha’s governor‑designate Braj Mohan Ram that he would work to strengthen the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

What Happened

Ram, who is set to assume the governor’s post, told a news agency he intends to boost the BJP’s organisation after taking office.

Reaction

BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said the party was shocked by the remark and condemned it as a breach of the governor’s non‑partisan role. Mohanty added that a governor must stay above party politics. Mohanty said the statement negates the fact that a governor must remain above party politics.

Background

Ram is 68 and began his political career in Bihar, winning a seat in the state assembly in 1991 and entering the Lok Sabha in 1996 and 1998. After Bihar was split, he represented the Palamu constituency in Jharkhand. He follows Raghubar Das, a former Jharkhand chief minister, who also served as Odisha governor and was previously called a BJP ‘agent’ by the BJD ahead of the 2024 elections.

Context

India’s constitutional setup expects governors to act as neutral representatives of the centre, not as party operatives.