Bikram Keshari Arukha, Sarada Nayak & Sudam Marandi Set to Assume Ministerial Roles

Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik has officially announced that Bikram Arukha, Sarada Nayak, and Sudam Marandi, MLAs representing Bhanjanagar, Rourkela, and Bangriposi respectively, will be sworn in as Cabinet ministers.

This announcement puts an end to all speculations surrounding the new appointments.

Naveen Patnaik reportedly personally contacted the three MLAs to convey the news and requested their presence at the oath-taking ceremony, scheduled to take place tomorrow at 9.30 AM. The swearing-in ceremony will be administered by the honourable Governor of Odisha, Ganeshi Lal.

While the specific portfolios for the new ministers have not been disclosed yet, the anticipation is high. It is expected that their roles will be assigned based on their expertise and the needs of the state.

Notably, Bikram Keshari Arukha had recently resigned from his position as the State Assembly Speaker on May 12. Additionally, Samir Ranjan Das, the Minister of School and Mass Education, and Srikanta Sahu, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Employees State Insurance, had also tendered their resignations soon after.

To manage the interim period, Pramila Mallick, the Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management, had been given additional responsibilities, overseeing the School & Mass Education and Labour Departments.

Whereas, Niranjan Pujari, the Finance Minister, had been entrusted with the additional charge of the Health Department, following the unfortunate demise of Naba Das.

With these upcoming appointments and reallocations of portfolios, the Odisha government aims to ensure efficient governance and address the pressing issues facing the state. The newly sworn-in ministers will play crucial roles in driving development and addressing the needs of the people of Odisha.