By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The politically sensitive and high profile Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat in Odisha found no place in Union Cabinet since 1996, a time over 31 years.
After Nityanand Kanungo, Biju Patnaik, Rabi Ray, Srikant Kumar Jena, the high profile Kendrapara Lok Sabha Seat in Odisha failed to find a place in the Union Cabinet after HD Devegowda and IK Gujural led Governments, Will Prime Minister Narendra Modi consider the name of sitting MP Baijaynat Jay Panda in coming reshuffle?
This is being debated in Odisha now. In his just concluded Odisha visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had categorically mentioned the name of Party’s National VP and 5times MP Baijayant Jay Panda’s name during his address at Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj.
Other long-serving or notable MPs from Kendrapara such as Surendranath Dwivedy in the 1950s–60s, Surendra Mohanty, Sarat Kumar Deb, Prabhat Kumar Samantaray, Archana Nayak, Baijayant Panda, and Anubhav Mohanty did not appear to have held Union Cabinet positions based on available records.
Baijayant Panda BJP, elected 2009–2014 as BJD, and 2024 in BJP) has been a prominent MP, apart from his 2 terms in Rajya Sabha and BJP National Vice President but has not served in the Union Cabinet.
Kendrapara was a two-member constituency in 1957. Representation in the Union Cabinet from this seat has been sporadic and tied to non-Congress or coalition eras in the late 1970s–1990s.
Baijayant Jay Panda, the current BJP MP from Kendrapara elected in 2024 and BJP National Vice President, has not yet served in the Union Cabinet.
He holds a prominent organizational role in the BJP, including serving as Election In-Charge for key states like Assam (ahead of 2026 assembly polls) and previously Delhi.
He chairs important parliamentary committees like related to Public Undertakings or Select Committees on bills) and leads all-party delegations on diplomatic missions.
He is a five-time MP with experience from BJD and BJP, known for his articulate media presence, policy views on governance/economy, and contributions to party strategy.
As of mid-2026, there are widespread reports of a potential major Union Cabinet rejig possibly in June or later in 2026 to infuse fresh faces, address performance issues, and prepare for future elections. This could involve dropping or shifting 10+ ministers.
Odisha currently has strong representation like Dharmendra Pradhan in Education, Ashwini Vaishnaw in Railways, IB and IT, Jual Oram in Tribal Affairs. Any changes, especially if senior Odisha faces like Pradhan face scrutiny (for example over education-related issues), could open slots. Panda has been mentioned in older speculation lists and could be a contender as a senior, visible leader from the state.
As a National Vice President with proven electoral and organizational success, he fits the profile for elevation. His media-savvy nature and cross-party appeal could suit roles in Information & Broadcasting, Parliamentary Affairs, or Skill-Related ministries.
Cabinet decisions depend heavily on PM Modi’s preferences, regional balance, caste/organizational equations, and performance. Panda’s current focus appears more on party organization and state campaigns than immediate ministerial ambitions. No strong, recent signals point to an induction in the “very near” term next few months, but a 2026 reshuffle could change that.
List of Union Ministers Representing Kendrapara Lok Sabha Seat in Odisha :
Nityanand Kanungo (1952–1957, Indian National Congress) was the first MP from Kendrapara Lok Sabha constituency (elected in 1952). He served as a Union Minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet, holding portfolios including Commerce and Industry (later split), and Civil Aviation. He was also a former Governor of Gujarat and Bihar.
Biju Patnaik (1977–1980 and re-elected in 1980 and 1984 from Kendrapara, initially Bharatiya Lok Dal/Janata Party) served as Union Minister of Steel, Mines, and Coal in the Morarji Desai and Charan Singh governments (roughly 1977–1980). He was a prominent industrialist, aviator, and Chief Minister of Odisha (twice).
Rabi Ray (elected in 1989 and 1991 from Kendrapara, Janata Dal) was a former Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare (1979–1980 in the Morarji Desai government, though this was during his earlier parliamentary tenure from Puri). He later became the 9th Speaker of the Lok Sabha (1989–1991).
Srikant Kumar Jena (elected in 1996 from Kendrapara, and previously in other terms) served as a Union Cabinet Minister (like in portfolios like Parliamentary Affairs, Tourism, Statistics & Programme Implementation, Chemical and Fertilisers and later roles in UPA governments under VP Singh, HD Devegowda and IK Gujural as PM).
