Puri Stampede Prompts Odisha BJP to Postpone State President Election

The Odisha BJP has delayed the election for its state president due to the stampede at Saradhabali near Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri. According to state election officer Pratap Sarangi, a new date will be finalized after consulting with the central leadership. The election process, which began with a notification and voter list preparation, included scheduled nomination filings, scrutiny, and voting on July 1. While the Odisha election is postponed, the BJP will announce state presidents for Uttarakhand and Maharashtra as previously planned. Elections for state presidents are anticipated in several other states next week. These state elections are a lead-up to the election for the national president. The process follows a hierarchical structure, starting with district-level elections and progressing to the national level, with specific criteria at each level.