Union Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday announced BJP's MLA Mohan Majhi as new Chief Minister of Odisha. Majhi will be Odisha's first BJP CM following the 24-year-old tenure of BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik. This is the first time that BJP will form the government on its own in Odisha.
Patnaik's rule came to an end following a massive defeat in the recently concluded Assembly elections.
Majhi won the Keonjhar seat by defeating BJD's Mina Majhi from the constituency. Earlier, the BJP had been in power in the state as an alliance partner of the BJD in 2000 and 2004.
A known tribal leader with strong RSS connections, Majhi has been four time MLA in the state.
Who is BJP's Mohan Majhi?
Majhi comes from Raikala village in Odisha’s Keonjhar district. Majhi has made it big in politics considering his humble background. He is the son of a security guard.
A law graduate, Majhi began his political career as a village head in 1997. Later, he became the general secretary of the BJP's Odisha ST (Scheduled Tribes) Morcha. Majhi became MLA for the first time in 2000 after emerging victorious from Keonjhar seat.
The 52-year-old Majhi has won Keonjhar seat four times.
Majhi considered a strong tribal voice in Odisha has risen through the ranks as he is known for his organisational skills. He was also the chief whip in the outgoing Odisha legislative assembly.
Majhi in his first reaction after BJP top brass chose him for the top post said: "Due to the blessings of Lord Jagannath, the BJP achieved a 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."
Deputy CMs also announced: BJP has also announced Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida as the next Odisha's Deputy Chief Ministers.
The names were selected at the BJP legislature party meeting, which was attended by Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav as observers.
Swearing-in ceremony on June 12: The swearing-in ceremony for the first BJP government in Odisha has been scheduled for June 12. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the oath-taking ceremony at Janata Maidan. The BJP has also invited BJD president and outgoing chief minister Naveen Patnaik for the swearing-in ceremony.
June 12 to be holiday in Odisha: The Odisha government announced all state government offices and courts in the state will close after 1 pm on the day due to the swearing-in ceremony of the new chief minister and his council of ministers.
