The Odisha BJP has halted the election for its state president following the stampede at Saradhabali near Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri. State election officer Pratap Sarangi confirmed the postponement, stating that a revised date will be set after discussions with the central leadership. The election process began with a notification, the creation of a voter list, and was to include nomination filings, scrutiny, and voting on July 1. While the Odisha election is on hold, the BJP will continue with the announcements of new state presidents in Uttarakhand and Maharashtra. Elections for state unit presidents are anticipated in multiple other states next week. These elections are an important step toward the selection of the party’s national president. The election follows a structured process beginning at the district level and culminating in the national president’s election, with specific criteria to be met at each stage.
