Opposition Criticizes Odisha Governor-Designate Over Remarks on Strengthening BJP

Odisha Governor Braj Mohan Ram’s remarks – that he will work to get more votes for the BJP – following his appointment to the constitutional post have stirred a row in the state, with the opposition Biju Janata Dal and Congress on Wednesday raising questions about his impartiality.

Ram, a Dalit leader and a former BJP MP from Jharkhand, was appointed as Odisha Governor on Monday. Speaking to a news agency in Ranchi, Ram said he would work to further activate the BJP’s schedule caste (SC) morcha and make efforts to get more votes for the party. The BJP is in power in the state. ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ନୂତନ ରାଜ୍ୟପାଳ ଭାବେ ମନୋନୀତ ଶ୍ରୀ ବ୍ରଜ ମୋହନ ରାମ ଜୀଙ୍କୁ ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ସ୍ୱାଗତ। ଦଳୀୟ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ମନୋନୀତ ରାଜ୍ୟପାଳଙ୍କ ଉତ୍ସାହକୁ ଓଡ଼ିଶାବାସୀ ଦେଖୁଛନ୍ତି। ଆଶା, ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଓଡ଼ିଶାବାସୀଙ୍କ ସେବା କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଟିକେ ଉତ୍ସାହ ଓ ଶକ୍ତି ପ୍ରଦାନ କରିବେ; ଯାହା ଦ୍ୱାରା ସେ ନିରପେକ୍ଷ ଭାବେ ଏବଂ ସାମ୍ବିଧାନିକ ମର୍ଯ୍ୟାଦା ରକ୍ଷା କରି ନିଜ ଦାୟିତ୍ୱ ତୁଲାଇବେ। #Odisha @rashtrapatibhvn @narendramodi — Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) October 14, 2026 Ram also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for appointing a grassroots leader like him to the post.

He said he played an instrumental role in activating the BJP’s SC morcha in Jharkhand, too, and despite not being given a ticket to contest elections, remained with the party organisation. Also Read | 6 states get new Governors: Rajendra Arlekar moves to Tamil Nadu, OP Mathur to Keralam Nearly 17 per cent of Odisha’s population belongs to the scheduled caste (SC) category.

BJD Rajya Sabha member Santrupt Misra said the remarks indicate the Governor’s priorities are clear. “Whatever his inclination towards constitutional duties may be, such brilliant clarity on his own political perspective is remarkable! Democracy's new definition – prioritising party interests while holding a constitutional post!

Truly admirable!” Misra posted on X. “We need exactly such honest and transparent systems! If more Governors like this are appointed, there's no doubt that our democracy will certainly be strengthened!” All India Congress Committee (AICC) media and publicity wing chairman Pawan Khera said, “Newly appointed Odisha Governor, BJP’s Braj Mohan Ram openly declares that he will use his constitutional office to secure more votes and electoral victories for the BJP in Odisha.

He has made his intention clear – the party is above the people, the constitution, and the country. That's why, look carefully, remember his face. This is what a traitor looks like.” A graduate of Ranchi University, Ram was a former MLA in the undivided Bihar legislative assembly.

He was also elected to the Lok Sabha from Palamu, Jharkhand, in 1996, 1998 and 1999. He has replaced Hari Babu Kambhampati as the 28th Governor of Odisha.