Bhubaneswar: Union home minister Amit Shah cancelled his Odisha tour, while chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi left for Delhi on Thursday. Two apparently unrelated events, but between them they have set the state’s political circles abuzz with speculation of the maiden expansion of Odisha cabinet following a likely reshuffle at the Centre.Shah was scheduled to arrive in Jharsuguda on Friday evening and inaugurate BPCL’s ethanol plant in Bargarh on Saturday. His itinerary also included a visit to Samaleswari Temple in Sambalpur and participation in an Odisha police event in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. Preparations for the visit, including security arrangements and logistics, were underway when the programme was called off. A senior govt official attributed the cancellation to the forecast of heavy rainfall, triggered by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal.Meanwhile, Majhi and state BJP president Manmohan Samal left for Delhi, and are expected to meet Shah, BJP national president Nitin Nabin and other senior party functionaries, BJP sources said.Party sources said a cabinet expansion in Odisha has been on the cards for some time. “The final call will depend on developments at the Centre,” a party insider said.Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari, however, dismissed suggestions of any extraordinary political developments. “Whenever CM and party members travel to Delhi, speculation about a cabinet expansion begins. Sometimes consultations with the central leadership are required on issues such as the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The chief minister routinely discusses state-related matters with Union ministers during his visits. There is nothing unusual about this trip,” Pujari said.On the possibility of a cabinet expansion in Odisha, Pujari said the exercise would take place “at an appropriate time”. “Once a decision is taken, everyone will know. The chief minister can induct six more ministers if he wishes,” he added.Odisha currently has 16 ministers. Under Article 164 of the Constitution, the strength of the council of ministers can go up to 15% in the 147-member assembly, allowing for a maximum of 22 ministers.With the Majhi govt having completed two years in office on June 12, speculation has intensified over a possible expansion of the council of ministers. The buzz has gained further momentum amid discussions of a reshuffle at the Centre following the resignation of George Kurian and the end of Rajya Sabha member Ravneet Singh Bittu’s tenure.
