After PM, CM calls on BJP prez in Delhi

Bhubaneswar: A day after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss Odisha’s development, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday held talks with BJP president Nitin Nabin in New Delhi.“Discussed organisational issues and Odisha’s holistic development. Grateful for his continued support and guidance,” Majhi posted on X after the meeting.It was Majhi’s second meeting with party’s national president in two weeks after Nabin attended the BJP’s core committee meeting and interacted with state’s council of ministers, MPs and MLAs during his visit to Odisha, earlier this month.Ahead of completing two years in office, Majhi, along with state BJP president Manmohan Samal — who is also in Delhi — is engaging with the central leadership to finalise key appointments to boards and corporations and to secure clearance for the expansion of the council of ministers. Sources indicated the council may be expanded from the current 16 to around 22, with induction of new faces as the govt enters its third year.Senior BJP leaders, including Majhi, Samal, Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram, besides many MPs and some MLAs, also met at the party’s national headquarters and discussed organisational and state issues, sources said.Majhi is on a three-day visit to the national capital. On Monday, he met PM Modi and invited him to attend his govt’s second anniversary celebrations next month, while also discussing accelerating infrastructure development, boosting investment, and implementing key welfare initiatives.Coinciding with Modi completing 12 years as Prime Minister on Tuesday, Majhi wrote on social media, “Inspired by your vision, we remain committed to building a Samruddha (developed) Odisha and contributing to a Viksit Bharat.”