I am not interested in Odisha CM post: Jual

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Rourkela, May 10:

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram today stated that he was not interested in becoming Chief Minister of Odisha.

However, Oram clarified that if his party decides to make him the Chief Minister candidate he would take a call.

“I am not interested in the post of Chief Minister. Party functionaries and media being interested is a different matter but I am not interested. If the party decides so tomorrow, that’s a different matter. I never think for myself, I always think of the party and party thinks for me,” remarked Oram speaking to reporters on the sidelines of BJP’s Panposh district unit’s extended executive committee meeting held here today.

It may be recalled here that Oram had told the media that there are four to five suitable candidates in the BJP for the Chief Minister’s post. However, he had not revealed names of the suitable candidates.

The conspicuous absence of local BJP MLA Dillip Ray at the meeting had raised eyebrows.

The Sundargarh MP, however, told reporters that Ray was very much with the party and was preoccupied with his business and hence was absent at the meeting.

“There is nothing like that. Dillip babu is very much with us. He attends different meetings of the party. He also remains busy with his business. He is absent in the meeting for attending to his business. He has spoken to the party president on this account,” Oram clarified.

“We are also aware of that. We are also sorry for that. Work is in progress.  It’s not that easy to get work done in Government of India,” said Oram responding to reporters who cited that Ray was not happy over the delay in the construction of the second bridge over river Brahmani and conversion of Ispat General Hospital to a medical college despite assurances by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi.