Bhubaneshwar (Odisha): Mohan Charan Majhi -- the first BJP Chief Minister in Odisha -- took oath with his two deputies, KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, this evening in a grand ceremony that announced the party's arrival in eastern India. The event is being attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a number of Union ministers and other dignitaries.
Also attending the event in a gesture of old-world political courtesy is Naveen Patnaik, the Biju Janata Dal chief who headed the state for 24 years. Mr Majhi had driven to his residence last evening and invited him for today's event.
But Odisha changed its mandate this time, giving the BJP 78 of the 147 assembly seats. The BJD won 51 seats, and failed to open account in parliament. Mr Patnaik's closest aide, VK Pandiyan, who allegedly had a huge influence on him, quit the party shortly after.
Mr Majhi, 52, a four-time MLA from Keonjhar and the party's tribal face, is an experienced politician and his public service and organisational skills worked in his favour in the race for the top post, sources have indicated. The chief whip of the BJP in the previous assembly, he was the youngest of the front-runners.
His deputy, Mr Deo, is a six-time MLA and an erstwhile royal from Patna (princely state), Bolangir, and was a minister in the Naveen Patnaik government for nine years till 2009, when the BJP and the Biju Janata Dal were in alliance.
Pravati Parida, 57, a first-time MLA, has been in the party for the last 28 years. She was chief of the state BJP women's wing (2016-2022) and the state BJP Vice President (2022-2024).
Odisha's change of heart came after a proposed alliance between the BJP and the BJD fell through. The BJP followed it up with a tough campaign, focussing on the lack of development in many districts – allegations the BJD stoutly denied.
What alienated the voters were the local-level instances of corruption that flourished despite the clean image of the Chief Minister. There were allegations that the local leaders of the BJD sought bribes to ensure provision of government services. Ensconced at his residence post-Covid, the Chief Minister was seen by many as uncaring.
The BJP, which had been trying to break into the eastern India, after its successful venture in the northeast, had stepped into the breach, promising to cater to the aspirations of the new generation and appealing to the Odiya asmita.