India: BJP MLA Mohan Majhi to become new chief minister of Odisha, ending Naveen Patnaik era

Mohan Charan Majhi, the newly-elected member of legislative assembly (MLA) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be the new chief minister of the east Indian state of Odisha, ending over two decades of rule by Naveen Patnaik.

The swearing-in ceremony for the new chief minister is scheduled for 5 pm on Wednesday (June 12).

Majhi, a four-time MLA,was elected as the Leader of the BJP Legislative Party in the state in the wake of the recently-concluded assembly elections.

The announcement was made by BJP leader and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida are set to become the deputy chief ministers.

In the Odisha Assembly elections, the BJP clinched a victory with 78 seats.

Naveen Patnaik, thesupremo of Biju Janata Dal or BJD, had held the CM post in the state for 24 years.

The BJD secured 51 seats, while the Congress party managed 14 and the CPI(M) secured one seat in the assembly polls. Three seats were won by independent candidates.

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Earlier, Dharmendra Pradhan, Baijayant Jai Panda, and Sambit Patra were speculated for the CM post, but considering the BJP's limited presence from Odisha in the Lok Sabha, it also seemed that the party might opt for a state-based leader.

Suresh Pujari, Girish Chandra Murmu, and Manmohan Samal were also among the contenders for the chief minister's position.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar at 2:30 pm on June 12 and attend the oath-taking ceremony at Janata Maidan, reports said quoting Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi.

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However, a planned roadshow for Modi before the ceremony is pending confirmation from the police.

Stringent security measures have been put in place by the Commissionerate Police for the event, ensuring smooth VVIP movement at the Biju Patnaik International Airport and during the ceremony.

Apart from Modi, several dignitaries including union ministers and chief ministers from BJP-ruled states are expected to grace the occasion.

(With inputs from agencies)