In a significant political development, Mohan Charan Manjhi, a four-time MLA and the tribal face of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has been chosen as Odisha’s new Chief Minister. This decision comes after senior state leaders Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram were appointed to roles in the Union government.
Alongside Manjhi’s appointment, the BJP has also named two Deputy Chief Ministers for the state – KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida. The swearing-in ceremony for the new government is scheduled for tomorrow and will witness the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. PM Modi is expected to hold a roadshow in Bhubaneshwar en route to the ceremony at Janata Maidan.
Mohan Majhi, aged 52 and hailing from Keonjhar, brings a wealth of political experience to his new role. His track record as a four-time MLA and his organizational acumen played a pivotal role in his selection as the Chief Minister. He previously served as the chief whip of the BJP in the state assembly and emerged as the youngest frontrunner for the top position.
KV Singh Deo, a six-time MLA and a former minister in the Naveen Patnaik government, and Pravati Parida, a first-time MLA with a long-standing tenure in the BJP, have been appointed as Deputy Chief Ministers to support Manjhi in his new responsibilities.
The BJP’s decision-making process for the Chief Minister’s role was closely watched, considering it marks the party’s first government in Odisha after 24 years of Naveen Patnaik’s rule. Despite this transition, the BJP secured a significant mandate in the state, winning 78 out of 147 assembly seats, with 51 directly attributed to the party.
The selection of Manjhi and his deputies was conducted by the BJP legislature party under the supervision of Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Bhupendra Yadav, appointed as observers by the Central leadership. Key leaders like Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jual Oram also participated in the decision-making process.
Tomorrow’s oath ceremony is anticipated to be a grand affair, with tight security arrangements in place. Various dignitaries, including Union ministers and chief ministers from BJP-ruled states, are expected to grace the occasion, marking a new chapter in Odisha’s political landscape under the leadership of Mohan Majhi.
Sources By Agencies
