BJD MLAs Losing Patience As Uncertainty Prevails Over Ministry Reshuffle

BHUBANESWAR: As Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has kept the guessing game going by not revealing his mind on the ministry reshuffle, the BJD MLAs aspiring to take oath at the Raj Bhavan are losing patience.

A delay in ministry reshuffle is becoming a big test of patience for the party MLAs eyeing for a berth in the council of ministers.

As the review meeting on the performance of ministers is over, the lawmakers hoped that the reshuffle would be held soon. However, the praise of the Chief Minister that all the departments have done exceedingly well has clouded over their hopes. But, they are still hopeful that the Chief Minister would effect the reshuffle to drop some tainted ministers, who may cause further embarrassment to the government in future.

Notably, a rejig had taken place in the council of ministers right after completion of two years of the BJD government in its third term. Besides, the present situation of infighting among few leaders and ministers and criticism faced by few ministers in the wake of farmers’ suicide, drought and chit fund scam has fueled the ministry reshuffle talk.

“No one can read the mind of the Chief Minister. Probably, he is analysing the whole situation before giving a new shape to the ministry. Besides, Panchayat election is coming closer. He will take the right step at the right time,” said a BJD leader.

However, the delay in ministry reshuffle has left some ministry hopefuls annoyed. They are even praying for a swift probe into the chit fund scam by CBI so that some ministers entangled in the scam are forced to resign and it paves the way for them to be inducted in the ministry.