Raghubar Das leaves Odisha governor role, eyes return to active BJP work

BHUBANESWAR: Raghubar Das, who stepped down as Odisha Governor on Tuesday, expressed his willingness to return to active party work, leaving his future role to the BJP high command's discretion.

"I come from a common mazdoor family. From a booth-level worker, I served in various capacities. I was given a chance to serve the people of Jharkhand. I will discharge whatever responsibility the party entrusts me with," Das said on Wednesday, highlighting his journey from a working-class background to top leadership positions.

"Our party will decide my role," he said amid speculation that he would return to active politics. Das was in Puri to visit the Lord Jagannath temple. "I feel blessed to have served the people of Odisha. The state has been progressing very fast with a double engine govt led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I am sure it will be among the most developed states in the country by its centenary year in 2036," he said.

State BJP President Manmohan Samal said the party’s central leadership must have taken a decision about what responsibility Das would get. "The PM and central leadership must have taken a decision after careful thought. It's not appropriate to comment on the decision of the Centre," he said.


During his around 14 months stay in Odisha, Das came under opposition attack after a govt employee alleged that the Governor’s son, Lalit, assaulted him for not sending a vehicle to pick him up from the Puri railway station.


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