BJP to decide Odisha CM candidate soon, Ayushman Bharat to replace BSKY: Manmohan Samal

Bhubaneswar: After posting a spectacular victory in Odisha Assembly elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now gearing up for formation of government and selection for the post of Chief Minister in the state.

Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal told reporters that the party’s Parliamentary Board will take a decision on the next Chief Minister in a day or two. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier announced that the swearing-in ceremony of a BJP Chief Minister would be held on June 10.

He said the selection of CM candidate will be based on the criteria set by the Prime Minister that an Odia who will uphold the culture and tradition of the state will be the next Chief Minister, the senior BJP leader said

Speaking on the main agenda of the new government, the state BJP chief said that Ayushman Bharat scheme would replace Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) launched by the BJD government.

Stating that BSKY has limited scope, Samal said that the BJP government would implement Ayushman Bharat Yojana which has a larger scope as compared to BSKY cards and it will also benefit around 1.5 crore Odias staying outside the state.

Noting that common people will get 100% of Rs 5 lakh coverage and there will be no restriction, Samal adding all the commitments made by the BJP before the elections will be fulfilled.

Asserting that BJP was confident of victory in Odisha, he said it was the people who were fighting the elections as they were fed up with the corrupt governance of BJD.

The election was to restore Odia Asmita, culture and tradition, he said, adding that the people trusted BJP’s assurances and the new government will certainly work for them. People have rejected the idea of a non-Odia CM and voted for BJP, Samal said.