BJP rank and file on the edge as party buys time to name Rourkela unit chief

A sense of unease prevails among the BJP rank and file due to the delay in announcement of the party's president for the all-important Rourkela organisational district.

- PRASANJEET SARKAR @Rourkela

The BJP recently merged its Panposh and Bonai organisational districts to form the Rourkela unit in a bid to rejuvenate the party's organisation in the steel city.

BJP insiders said against the accepted practice of unanimous election with single nomination, seven aspirants are in the race for the post of Rourkela unit chief. With no voting system, the state leadership has to pick one from the seven aspirants.

Former Birmitrapur MLA Shankar Oram, state BJP general secretary Purnima Kerketta and outgoing Panposh unit general secretary Shashank Jena are touted to be the frontrunners.