Bhubaneswar: Union Minister of Tribal Affairs and senior BJP leader Jual Oram has announced that he will no longer contest elections, signaling his desire to pave the way for the younger generation to enter active politics in his constituency in Odisha.

Oram, who currently represents the Sundargarh Parliamentary Constituency in the Lok Sabha, clarified that while he has decided to stay away from direct electoral contests, he is not retiring from politics.

"I’m not interested in contesting elections for either the Assembly or Parliament. However, I will continue to serve the party and take up responsibilities assigned to me. If the party nominates me for the Rajya Sabha, appoints me as Governor, or urges me to contest, I cannot refuse. But it’s my personal choice to avoid direct elections," he stated.

Reflecting on his long political journey, the 64-year-old said, "I have contested elections 10 times -- 8 times Lok Sabha and 2 times Assembly. Now, I believe it’s time to give the youth an opportunity. I want to step aside from direct elections and encourage fresh leadership."

Oram has had a distinguished political career spanning over three decades. He was first elected to the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Bonai in 1990 and served two terms until 1998. He entered the Lok Sabha from Sundargarh in 1998 and was re-elected in 1999, when he was inducted into the Union Cabinet by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the first Minister of Tribal Affairs.

He was subsequently elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004, 2014, 2019, and 2024. 

"I have served long enough in electoral politics and will now focus on supporting the party in other ways. If needed, I am willing to step aside completely for the new generation," Oram added.