Bhubaneswar: Senior BJP leader Manmohan Samal has been re-elected as the Odisha State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a second consecutive term. His unopposed election was formally declared today by Sanjay Jaiswal, the party’s election observer.

Samal filed his nomination on Monday at the BJP's state headquarters in Bhubaneswar. With no other contender in the fray, his reappointment was a mere formality.

The central leadership’s decision to retain Samal reflects their confidence in his leadership, especially after his crucial role in steering the BJP to its first-ever electoral victory in Odisha in 2024.

This marks Samal’s fourth stint as state BJP chief. He earlier served as the party’s Odisha president between 1999–2000 and again from 2001–2004. He returned to the role in March 2023, just ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Samal’s political journey includes a tenure as Rajya Sabha MP from 2000 to 2004 and election to the Odisha Assembly from Dhamnagar in 2004. He also held key ministerial portfolios in the Odisha government, including Revenue and Food Supplies & Consumer Welfare, between 2004 and 2008.