Odisha law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Friday defended governor-designate Braj Mohan Ram over his controversial remark that he would “work to strengthen the BJP” after assuming office.
“He (Ram) has worked for the party for decades, and the words might have slipped from his tongue. He did not mean it,” Harichandan said.
The law minister is the son of former Chhattisgarh governor Biswabhusan Harichandan.
Targeting the Opposition, the minister said it should allow Ram to assume office before judging his conduct.
“The Opposition will get ample opportunity to assess whether he functions neutrally in accordance with the Constitution. If there are any deficiencies, it can raise questions then, and not now over a slip of tongue,” Harichandan said.
President Droupadi Murmu appointed Ram as Odisha governor on October 12. The following day, Ram said he had served as president of the BJP’s Dalit Morcha in Jharkhand and worked to strengthen the organisation there. Referring to Odisha, he said the state also had an SC Morcha and that he would work to activate it after taking charge, while seeking to increase the BJP’s vote share.
The remark drew criticism from the BJD, Congress and Left parties. Ram later clarified that he would work in coordination with all political parties and not for any one party in particular.
“No, I did not say this. I said that I will work in coordination with everyone... The party I belong to is my capital. I will always have an affinity and love for that party. But I will not work for any particular party. Hum sabke hain, sab hamare hain,” Ram said on Thursday.