‘Shocked’: Odisha governor’s ‘will work for BJP’ remark sparks political row

The BJD shared a PTI video in which Ram was heard speaking about his plans after taking charge as governor. Reacting to the remarks, the party said it was shocked and accused him of undermining the principle that a governor must remain above party politics.

NEW DELHI: Odisha’s newly appointed Governor Braj Mohan Ram has triggered a political row after reportedly saying he would work to strengthen the BJP, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress on Wednesday. Both parties said the remarks raised questions about the impartiality expected of a constitutional office-holder. The Congress demanded that Ram be recalled, while BJD president Naveen Patnaik urged him to uphold constitutional dignity.The BJD shared a PTI video in which Ram was heard speaking about his plans after taking charge as governor. Reacting to the remarks, the party said it was shocked and accused him of undermining the principle that a governor must remain above party politics.“We are shocked to hear his comments in a PTI video, where he reiterates that he would work towards strengthening the BJP. We condemn the remark as it negates the fact that the governor is above party politics,” the BJD said in a statement.

Naveen Patnaik hopes governor will uphold constitutional dignity

Patnaik, the leader of the opposition in the Odisha Assembly, also expressed concern over the reported remarks. In a social media post, he referred to the governor’s enthusiasm for party work and hoped he would discharge his constitutional responsibilities impartially.“The people of Odisha are witnessing the enthusiasm of the nominated Governor for undertaking party work. Hope that Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath will bestow upon him the zeal and strength to serve the people of Odisha, through which he will fulfil his duties impartially while upholding constitutional dignity,“ the leader of the opposition in the Odisha Assembly said in a social media post.He tagged Rashtrapati Bhavan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the post.BJD media coordinator Lenin Mohanty also criticised the comments, calling them unbecoming of a governor.

Congress seeks governor’s recall

The Congress accused Ram of openly expressing a partisan position before assuming a constitutional office. Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das said the governor’s role was to protect the Constitution rather than advance a political party’s interests.“The Governor’s constitutional responsibility is to uphold the Constitution impartially, not to advance the electoral interests of any political party.”Das said constitutional offices must remain above partisan politics. He alleged that Ram had stated he would work for the BJP’s SC Morcha in Odisha, as he had done in Jharkhand in the past.“It is extremely unfortunate for someone holding the dignified office of Governor to say that he will work to boost the BJP’s vote share in Odisha. This exposes the true nature of the BJP,” he said.“The BJP government is systematically bringing one constitutional institution after another under the party’s control. However, no one has ever engaged in such open partisan politics prior to assuming such a high office,” the OPCC leader said.OPCC spokesperson Arabinda Das demanded that the Centre immediately recall Ram. Alternatively, he said, the chief justice of the High Court should raise objections to administering the oath of office to him.

Mahua Moitra takes a swipe at BJP

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also joined the criticism, taking a sarcastic dig at Ram and the BJP in a post on X.“Hello Odisha- this is your new governor. He says his job is to strengthen saffron organisation in Odisha. The state has become a dump yard for unemployed senior sanghis! @Naveen_Odisha”.Ram, a three-time former BJP MP, was appointed Odisha governor on Monday. The Odisha BJP had not responded to the reported remarks at the time of publication.