Jual Oram alleges BJP conspiracy to remove him from Union cabinet
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram alleged a BJP conspiracy to oust him, warned rivals, and linked the claim to his representative’s arrest in Rourkela.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram alleged on Friday that BJP colleagues are plotting a conspiracy to defame and oust him from Union cabinet, warning unnamed rivals he would “cut off their hands and throw them away” if they damage his reputation. He said leaders who joined the BJP from other parties are spreading a smear campaign and spending money to undermine him, adding he would contest elections and raise issue with central leadership if unresolved. The statement came a day after Rourkela police arrested his representative Prakash Paswan over a Circuit House booking linked to an arms-and-ammunition case.
What did Jual Oram allege about a BJP conspiracy?
Oram said some people are spending money and plotting conspiracies to defame him by spreading a smear campaign against him. He told reporters at the party office that these individuals believe dropping him from the Union cabinet would create an opportunity for them, and indicated that the alleged plot involves leaders who joined the BJP from other parties. According to Oram, he has conveyed the matter to BJP’s general secretary (organisation) Manas Mohanty and warned that if the issue is not resolved at the state level, he will raise it before the central leadership.
What warning did he issue regarding his reputation?
Without naming individuals, Oram warned that anyone trying to damage his reputation would face consequences, stating he had the strength to “cut off their hands and throw them away”. He also said he is satisfied with the position and respect the party has given him over the years but condemns attempts to destabilise him. Oram added that he would contest future elections and challenge those working against him to face him politically, asserting he would “finish” those trying to destabilise him.
How is the statement linked to his representative’s arrest?
Oram’s statement came a day after Rourkela police arrested Prakash Paswan, his representative, who had booked rooms at Circuit House for seven persons recently arrested with arms and ammunition by the police. Oram had taken to social media to advocate for a fair and impartial probe into the incident. The BJP’s Odisha unit has not reacted to Oram’s statement.
What is Jual Oram’s political background?
Jual Oram is a six-time MP from Sundargarh, first winning the Lok Sabha seat in 1998. During his second term in 1999, he headed the tribal affairs ministry in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He was re‑inducted into the Union cabinet in 2014 when Narendra Modi became prime minister and again in 2024.
Born into a poor tribal family in Kendudihi village of Sundargarh district, Oram completed a diploma in electrical engineering in 1982 and worked at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited before entering politics. He was elected to the Odisha state assembly in 1989 before becoming an MP, and has lost the Sundargarh seat only once—in 2009 to former Odisha chief minister Hemananda Biswal.
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What did Jual Oram allege about a BJP conspiracy?
Jual Oram alleged that BJP colleagues are plotting a conspiracy to defame and oust him from the Union cabinet, claiming some people are spending money to spread a smear campaign involving leaders who joined the BJP from other parties.
What warning did Jual Oram issue regarding his reputation?
Without naming individuals, Oram warned that anyone trying to damage his reputation would face consequences, stating he had the strength to “cut off their hands and throw them away”.
How is Jual Oram’s statement linked to his representative’s arrest?
Oram’s statement came a day after Rourkela police arrested his representative Prakash Paswan, who had booked rooms at Circuit House for seven persons recently arrested with arms and ammunition by the police.
What is Jual Oram’s political background?
Jual Oram is a six-time MP from Sundargarh, first elected in 1998, served as tribal affairs minister in 1999, and was re‑inducted into the Union cabinet in 2014 and again in 2024.
Has the BJP’s Odisha unit reacted to Jual Oram’s statement?
No, the BJP’s Odisha unit has not reacted to Oram’s statement.
Ansuya Minz
Senior District Correspondent, Sundargarh
Ansuya Minz has covered Sundargarh district for six years, reporting on the steel belt's industry, tribal welfare policy, and the Rourkela sports ecosystem. She is based in Rourkela.
View all articles by Ansuya →
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