Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu has appointed senior BJP leader and former Lok Sabha MP Braj Mohan Ram as the new Governor of Odisha. The appointment was announced on Monday, October 12, as part of a broader reshuffle involving gubernatorial appointments in six states. Ram will succeed the incumbent Governor, Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati, and assume office from the date he formally takes charge.
Ram hails from Jharkhand and has a long background in electoral politics. A Dalit leader associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he represented the Palamu parliamentary constituency in the Lok Sabha three times. He also served as a member of the legislative assembly before entering Parliament.
Following the announcement, Ram expressed happiness over his appointment and said he would work to meet the expectations associated with the constitutional position. He also highlighted areas such as education, healthcare and industrial development as important priorities for the people of Odisha.
Who Is Braj Mohan Ram?
Braj Mohan Ram is a senior BJP leader from Jharkhand with experience in both state and national politics. He began his electoral career in 1991, when he was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly on a BJP ticket. He served as an MLA until 1995.
Ram subsequently entered national politics and was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Palamu constituency in 1996, 1998 and 1999. At the time, Palamu was part of undivided Bihar, before Jharkhand was carved out as a separate state in November 2000.
He has also been associated with the BJP’s Scheduled Caste (SC) Morcha in Jharkhand, where he served as the state in-charge.
His appointment as Odisha Governor brings a political background to the constitutional office, which includes responsibilities connected with the functioning of the state government and the implementation of constitutional provisions.
Braj Mohan Ram Reacts to His Appointment
Reacting to the announcement, Ram said he felt happy and fortunate to have been selected for the position. He also referred to the blessings of Goddess Durga during Navratri while speaking about his appointment.
“I am feeling very happy and fortunate. I have received the blessings of Goddess Durga during Navratri,” Ram said.
He also spoke about representation and opportunities for members of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, expressing his view that the appointment reflected the BJP’s approach to including people from different social backgrounds.
Ram said he would try to fulfil the expectations placed on him and work towards addressing the needs of people in Odisha.
Education, Healthcare and Industries Among Key Priorities
Speaking about his responsibilities, Ram highlighted basic public needs and development as important areas of focus.
“Whatever the local requirements and basic needs may be, whether in education, healthcare or setting up industries, we will try to fulfil the needs of the people,” he said.
Education and healthcare are important public service areas across Odisha, while industrial development remains significant for employment generation and economic growth. Ram’s remarks indicated that he intends to pay attention to these areas during his tenure.
As Governor, however, his role will be governed by the constitutional responsibilities of the office and the framework governing relations between the Governor and the elected state government.
CM Mohan Charan Majhi Congratulates the New Governor
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi congratulated Ram on his appointment and expressed hope that his guidance and cooperation would support the state’s development.
In a message posted on X, Majhi wrote:
“Heartiest congratulations to Shri Braj Mohan Ram Ji on his appointment as the Hon’ble Governor of Odisha. I look forward to his guidance and support in our collective efforts towards building a prosperous, inclusive and developed Odisha. May his tenure further strengthen the spirit of service and the aspirations of our people. My best wishes for a successful and fulfilling tenure.”
The Chief Minister’s message welcomed the appointment and emphasised the importance of cooperation in pursuing Odisha’s development goals.
The Governor and the elected state government have distinct constitutional roles. Coordination between the two institutions is an important aspect of the state’s constitutional administration.
President Murmu Announces Governor Appointments in Six States
Along with Braj Mohan Ram’s appointment in Odisha, President Droupadi Murmu announced changes involving five other states. According to the official announcement from Rashtrapati Bhavan, the appointments and transfers are as follows:
- Odisha: Braj Mohan Ram appointed Governor.
- Keralam: Om Prakash Mathur appointed Governor, moving from Sikkim.
- Tamil Nadu: Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar appointed Governor, moving from Keralam.
- Karnataka: Dr Sudha Yadav appointed Governor.
- Uttarakhand: Dr Dhal Singh Bisen appointed Governor.
- Sikkim: Dushyant Gautam appointed Governor.
The changes include fresh appointments as well as the transfer of serving Governors to other states. The official communique states that the appointments will take effect from the dates on which the appointees assume charge of their respective offices.
What the Appointment Means for Odisha
The Governor serves as the constitutional head of a state and performs duties prescribed by the Constitution of India. These include responsibilities relating to the formation of governments, legislative proceedings and other constitutional matters, in accordance with applicable provisions.
Ram’s appointment marks a change in Odisha’s gubernatorial leadership, with Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati set to be succeeded once the new Governor assumes charge.
Ram has indicated that he intends to focus on the expectations and basic needs of Odisha’s people, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare and industrial development. His tenure will unfold within the constitutional framework governing the office of the Governor and its relationship with the elected government.
