By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, January 16, 2020: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Samir Mohanty on Thursday was elected as president of BJP state unit in Bhubaneswar.

Samir Mohanty is presently the vice-president of Odisha BJP unit and was the only candidate for the top post.

Mohanty’s name as the Odisha BJP chief was announced by Union minister and BJP’s central observer for organisational polls Narendra Singh Tomar.

Mohanty will replace Basanta Panda, who was elected from Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituency during 2019 general elections.

He got overwhelming support from district presidents and state party council members and got elected unopposed.

The decision to elevate Samir Mohanty is seemingly aimed at strengthening the base of the party support in coastal Odisha, where ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is dominant.

Mohanty, who hails from Cuttack is known for his organisational skills rather than electoral successes. He lost the 2014 Assembly elections from Bhubaneswar. He was corporator of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).

Mohanty also served as the chairman of Odisha State Cooperative Housing Corporation during BJD-BJP alliance government.