Mohan Charan Majhi has made history by becoming the first Chief Minister of Odisha from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). His swearing-in ceremony took place at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar, marking a significant shift in the state’s political landscape. The event was attended by several prominent BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Alongside Majhi, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida took oath as deputy Chief Ministers. This new cabinet, comprising 16 ministers, marks a new chapter in Odisha’s political history, ending the Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) 24-year reign.
Historic Swearing-In
On a historic day, Mohan Charan Majhi, a prominent tribal leader, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Odisha, marking a significant milestone for the state. Alongside him, Pravati Parida and Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo took oath as Deputy Chief Ministers, with Parida making history as the first woman to hold the position in Odisha. This momentous occasion marked a new chapter in the state’s political landscape, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took the reins after 24 years of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) rule.
New Leadership and Victory
Following the BJP’s decisive win in the assembly elections, a new 22-member cabinet, including the Chief Minister, takes office, marking the end of Naveen Patnaik’s long tenure under the BJD.
Key Cabinet Members
Suresh Pujari, a prominent figure in the new cabinet, won the Brajarajnagar Assembly constituency by a landslide, defeating Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate Alaka Mohanty by a significant margin of 26,789 votes. Rabi Narayan Naik, another crucial member, emerged victorious in the Kuchinda Assembly constituency, defeating BJD candidate Rajendra Kumar Chhatria by a substantial margin of 32,220 votes.
| Minister | Portfolio |
| Krushna Chandra Patra | Minister |
| Dr Krushna Chandra Mahapatra | Minister |
| Suresh Pujari | Minister |
| Prithviraj Harichandan | Minister |
| Ganesh Ram Singkhuntia | Minister |
| Suryabanshi Suraj | Minister |
| Gokulananda Mallik | Minister |
| Sampad Charan Swain | Minister |
| Pradeep Bala Samanta | Minister |
| Pravati Parida | Deputy CM |
| Bibhuti Bhushan Jena | Minister |
| Dr Mukesh Mahaling | Minister |
| Nityananda Gond | Minister |
| Mohan Charan Majhi |
Chief Minister
|
| Rabi Narayan Naik | Minister |
| Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo | Deputy CM |
Other Important Ministers
| Name | Position |
| Nityananda Gond |
Contender (also listed as Minister)
|
| Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia |
Minister of State (MoS) with Independent Charge
|
| Irasis Achaharya | Contender |
| Krushna Chandra Patra | Minister |
| Babu Singh | Contender |
| Sanjali Murmu | Contender |
| Prithviraj Harichandan | Minister |
| Pradeep Bal Samanta |
Contender (also listed as MoS with Independent Charge)
|
| Mukesh Mahaling |
Contender (also listed as Minister)
|
| Pradyumna Kumar Nayak | Contender |
| Nityananda Gond | Minister |
| Gokula Nanda Mallik |
Minister of State (MoS) with Independent Charge
|
| Laxman Bag |
Likely to secure a Cabinet berth
|
| Suresh Pujari | Minister |
| Satrughan Jena | Contender |
| Sampad Chandra Swain |
Minister of State (MoS) with Independent Charge
|
| Bibhuti Bhusan Jena | Minister |
| Dr Krushna Chandra Mohapatra | Minister |
| Durga Prasan Nayak | Contender |
| Suryabanshi Suraj |
Contender (also listed as MoS with Independent Charge)
|
| Pradeep Bal Samanta |
Minister of State (MoS) with Independent Charge
|
| Nabin Kumar Jain | Contender |
| Suryabanshi Suraj Sthitaprajna |
Minister of State (MoS) with Independent Charge
|
| Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo | Minister |
| Saroj Kumar Pradhan | Contender |
| Pravati Parida | Minister |
| Mukesh Mahaling | Minister |
| Rabi Narayan Naik | Minister |
| Prithiviraj Harichandan |
Contender (also listed as Minister)
|
Ministers of State (MoS) with Independent Charge
Additional Ministers
Pradeep Bal Samanta, who emerged victorious in the Sukinda Assembly constituency, defeated Biju Janata Dal (BJD) candidate Pritiranjan Gharai by a margin of 9,577 votes. Gokula Nanda Mallik, who secured a win in the Polasara Assembly constituency, defeated BJD candidate Srikanta Sahu by a substantial margin of 20,946 votes. Sampad Chandra Swain, who won from the Paradeep Assembly constituency, defeated BJD candidate Geetanjali Routray by 15,787 votes. These newly appointed ministers, along with their colleagues, are poised to bring fresh ideas and drive positive change in Odisha’s governance.
A New Era for Odisha
As Odisha gears up for a new era of governance, the spotlight falls on the incoming administration and its vision for the state’s future. With the induction of 15 ministers, including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, on June 12, 2024, the anticipation is palpable. Majhi, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Keonjhar, marks a significant milestone as the first Chief Minister from the tribal Santhal community and the northern region of Odisha.
Background and Expectations
Mohan Charan Majhi, a seasoned politician, has been inducted as Chief Minister of Odisha. He previously served as Minister of Industry and Public Enterprise in the BJP-BJD coalition from 2000 to 2009. His victory in Keonjhar was by a significant margin of 11,577 votes. Pravati Parida, who won her first assembly seat from Nimapara after three consecutive losses, now holds a significant position as Deputy Chief Minister.
