Bhubaneswar: BJP legislature party in Odisha Tuesday named Mohan Charan Majhi to be the next Chief Minister of the state. Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida have been named as Deputy Chief Ministers.
A week after the announcement of the Assembly poll results in the state where the BJP got a majority in the 147-member House, BJP legislature party in the state held its first meeting at party’s state headquarters Tuesday at 4:30pm to select the Chief Minister. Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav attended the meeting as observers.
The decisions were taken at the meeting, which unanimously chose 52-year-old Majhi as its leader. Majhi will succeed Naveen Patnaik, the BJD supremo.
“Delighted to announce that Shri Mohan Charan Majhi has been elected unanimously as the leader of Odisha BJP Legislature Party. He is a young and dynamic party karyakarta who will take the state forward on road to progress and prosperity as the new Chief Minister of Odisha. Many congratulations to him,” Rajnath Singh said on X.
In his first reaction after he was named the CM, Majhi said “Due to the blessings of Lord Jagannath, the BJP achieved majority in Odisha and is going to form the government in the state. I would like to thank the 4.5 crore Odias who voted for change.”
Majhi also asserted that the BJP will honour the trust of the people of Odisha.
Majhi is scheduled to take oath at a grand ceremony to be held at the Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar at 4.45pm June 12.
The Police Commissionerate has drawn up elaborate security plans for the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers at the Janata Maidan.
Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar at 2.30pm Wednesday and proceed to Raj Bhavan from the airport, the party sources said.
Prime Minister Modi will reach Janata Maidan later to attend the oath-taking ceremony. Tight security arrangements have been made in the proposed venue for the swearing-in ceremony. Several dignitaries, including union ministers and chief ministers of BJP-ruled states, are expected to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new Odisha Chief Minister and other ministers, the sources added.
It may be mentioned here that BJP June 4 secured a majority by winning 78 of the 147 Assembly seats, while the BJD secured 51, Congress (14), Independent (3) and CPI(M) 1 seat.
PNN & Agencies