Basant Panda likely to be next Odisha BJP President

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha unit of BJP is all set to elect its president on January 14, while BJP Legislative Party leader Basant Panda is most likely to be selected as the president on consensus.

However, the filing of nominations, election and announcement of the winner will be made on the same day according to the procedure and in a democratic way, said a released issued by the party here Tuesday.

Sources in the party said, the state executive and state council members will cast their votes to elect the president.  However, the party is trying to select a president on consensus to avoid an open contest between its ranks.

The leader of BJP Legislative Party Basant Panda continues to be the front-runner for the president position. Incumbent president KV Singh Deo is likely to take over Panda’s role of leader of BJP Legislative Party in Odisha Assembly once Panda is nominated as the president, sources added.

Earlier on January 10, polls were conducted, and presidents were announced for 30 of its 36 organisational districts in the state.