President Murmu’s election shines spotlight on Odisha’s connection to Delhi power circle

The election of Droupadi Murmu as the President of India has brought into limelight top ministers and officials who have a link with the state of Odisha.

The election of Droupadi Murmu as the President of India has brought Odisha connection with Delhi power circle into the spotlight. Droupadi Murmu, who hails from Odisha, was sworn in as the 15th President of India on July 24. Her election has drawn attention to other high-profile personalities in Delhi from the eastern state of the country.

Social media is abuzz with a list of top ranking officials in Modi government linked to Odisha. So, it is not just the President of India who can trace her roots to Odisha. In fact, the state has a decent share in Delhi’s power circles.

Cabinet ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Ashwini Vaishnaw hold different portfolios in the Narendra Modi government. While Dharmendra Pradhan is the minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Ashwini Vaishnaw holds portfolios like Railways, Communication, Electronics and Information Technology. But both Union ministers have an Odisha connection in common.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, a 1994 batch IAS officer, represents Odisha in the Rajya Sabha, but otherwise belongs to Rajasthan. Dharmendra Pradhan hails from Odisha’s Talcher city.

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It’s not just political entities but also top bureaucrats from the state who hold key positions at the Centre. Here’s a look at a few top officials with an Odisha link:

--On top of this list is PK Mishra, hailing from Odisha, but belonging to the Gujarat cadre. Earlier this year, in March, PK Mishra visited his school in Sambhalpur district for the opening of a new building in the government school.