Bhubaneswar: The unexpected resignation of Odisha Governor Raghubar Das has sent ripples through political circles, sparking intense debate about the possible reasons for his sudden exit. While some interpret it as part of the Centre’s regular reshuffling of gubernatorial posts, others suspect a deeper political conspiracy at play.
Raghubar Das’ resignation comes at a time when the BJP is recalibrating its strategies to regain prominence in Jharkhand, where its performance in the recent assembly elections fell short of expectations. Notably, Das, who served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand from 2014 to 2019, was apparently sidelined during the elections. Instead, leaders like Babulal Marandi and Arjun Munda were tasked with leading the charge against Chief Minister Hemant Soren, only to face a crushing defeat. Some analysts believe that Das has been recalled to the fold of the BJP to play an important role in reshaping the party’s fortunes in his home state.
Another theory suggests that Das’ removal was influenced by controversies during his brief tenure in Odisha. In one major case, his son was accused of assaulting Raj Bhavan staff. The incident gave the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) a weapon to target Das and question his ability to uphold the dignity of the governor’s office.
Das was appointed as the 26th Governor of Odisha on October 18, 2023 and assumed office on October 31. Shortly thereafter, he met the then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at his residence and sparked controversy, which some saw as a breach of protocol. Defending his actions, Das described the meeting as a “courtesy call” but later indicated that his role in Odisha was far from formal.
During his short tenure, Das toured across the state, meeting grassroots communities and addressing grievances ranging from lack of drinking water to inadequate infrastructure. His active involvement resonated with BJP workers in Odisha, motivating them to challenge the BJD’s powerful political machinery.
Das’s activism on the ground set the stage for the BJP’s central leadership—Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah—to mount an aggressive campaign against Naveen Patnaik’s 24-year rule. Political observers credit Das’s groundbreaking work in strengthening the party in Odisha, setting the stage for a possible change in the state’s political landscape.
On December 24, Das was appointed as the Governor of Odisha by Dr. Haribabu was replaced by Kambhampati, raising eyebrows over the timing of the move.
According to political analysts, official explanations are unclear, while speculation surrounding Das’s departure underscores the complex interplay of regional and national politics.
With Raghuvar Das returning to the political fray, all eyes will be on his next step – whether he becomes the BJP’s trump card in Jharkhand or emerges as a key strategist shaping the party’s future in eastern India.