Mohan Majhi sworn in as first BJP chief minister of Odisha, ending Naveen Patnaik's 24-year rule

Four-time MLA Mohan Charan Majhi was sworn in as the first BJP chief minister of Odisha on Wednesday (Jun 12) before a crowd of 30,000 people. His swearing-in ceremony was attended by top Bharatiya Janata Party  leaders in the capital Bhubaneswar, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

This is a historic moment for the east Indian state, as it marks the end of 24 years of rule by Naveen Patnaik, the supremo of Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Ahead of the oath-taking ceremony, Majhi said protecting Odisha's 'Asmita' (pride) will be his topmost priority.

"The new government will take oath today. The first job after taking the oath is to work to protect Odisha's 'Asmita' (pride). Our double engine government is coming, will work for fulfilling Modi guarantees and to resolve the problems of marginalized people," he said.

Majhi earlier met the outgoing chief minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik. The chief minister had said he would visit Puri to express gratitude to Lord Jagannath.

Along with Majhi, BJP leader Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida took oath as deputy chief ministers of the state. 

Prithiviraj Harichandan, Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Bibhuti Bhusan Jena and Dr Krushna Chandra Mohapatra also took oath as ministers in the Mohan Majhi-led government.

Majhi represents the reserved tribal seat of Keonjhar in the state assembly. He has completed his graduation and is a popular face because he has steered clear of controversies throughout his political career that started in 1997 as a village Sarpanch.

Majhi worked as a secretary for a group called State Advasi Morcha, an organisation affiliated to BJP. He comes from a place called Raikala in Keonjhar, and belongs to a tribe called Santhal, generally native to states like Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal.