By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: There is ongoing speculation about a possible Union Cabinet reshuffle/expansion under Prime Minister Narendra Modi Modi likely before the Monsoon Session or around mid-2026 further gains momentum after PM met President Droupadi Murmu , and Odisha BJP MPs are part of the chatter, though nothing is confirmed.
Odisha has strong representation (unusually high after BJP’s big 2024 wins in the state):
Dharmendra Pradhan (Sambalpur LS / senior leader): Union Minister of Education. He has faced significant criticism and protests in 2026 over NEET-UG paper leak allegations, CBSE evaluation issues, and related controversies.
Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha): Holds key portfolios like Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & IT. He appears stable and high-performing.
Jual Oram (Sundargarh LS): Union Minister of Tribal Affairs. As a senior tribal leader, his position has some question marks due to reduced “necessity” with Mohan Charan Majhi as Odisha CM and Droupadi Murmu as President, but he remains in the Cabinet.
Chances for Odisha BJP MPs in a Reshuffle
Baijayant (Jay) Panda (Kendrapara LS, BJP National Vice President and 5 times MP): Frequently mentioned as a strong contender for induction, especially if Pradhan is dropped or shifted. His national profile, communication skills, and Odisha roots make him a logical pick for balancing representation.
Other sitting Lok Sabha MPs like Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Sangeeta Singh Deo, Aparajita Sarangi, Dilip Ray, Manmohan Samal could be considered for Minister of State (MoS) roles, but Jay Panda stands out in reports.
Overall, Odisha’s clout has grown BJP won ~20 LS seats + State Power, + 4 Rajya Sabha MPs, so maintaining or slightly expanding slots is plausible, especially for regional balance, tribal representation, or rewarding performers.
This is all pre-reshuffle speculation driven by Rajya Sabha picks, state unit changes, and performance reviews. No official timeline or list has emerged, and reshuffles often include drops, shifts, and new faces for freshness ahead of future polls. Pradhan’s controversies increase the odds of change involving Odisha, but Modi-led decisions are strategic and not purely reactive.
