Ahead of getting sworn in as the BJP's first Chief Minister in Odisha, CM-designate Mohan Charan Majhi said that protecting Odisha's 'Asmita' (pride) will be the government's priority once the oath-taking ceremony is done.
As many of the BJP ruled states are following the two Deputy Chief Minister formula, Odisha Deputy CM-designate Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo praised the formula and said it's not new and said it will help in focusing and also increases the productivity.
BJP's newly elected MP, Malvika Devi, who has become the first woman Member of Parliament (MP) from the Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat in Odisha, expressed happiness over her victory in the Lok Sabha elections and said she will be committed for serving the people of Kalahandi.
After a massive defeat in the State Assembly and Parliamentary elections, the 24-year-old tenure of Naveen Patnaik concluded as he submitted his resignation to Odisha Governor Raghubar Das at the Raj Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
5T Chairman and BJD leader VK Pandian expressed his confidence in the Biju Janata Dal and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, securing a majority with 85 per cent of the votes, leading to a stable government in the state.
The Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat is witnessing a three-way contest among the sitting MP Aparajita Sarangi, Congress leader Yasir Nawaz, and Biju Janata Dal leader Manmath Routray.
"I request all voters especially young voters to come out and vote. I expect BJD to have a great victory both in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. We will form a very stable government in the state...," Patnaik said speaking to reporters after casting his vote.
Ahead of the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections, Odisha Chief Electoral Officer Nikunja Dhal on Thursday urged voters to "exercise their most important democratic right" on May 25.
"The resolve for 'Prosperous Odisha' is getting stronger, the trumpets are sounding from house to house in Bhubaneswar. Indebted to the love of the residents of Ekamar. Keep the faith," CM Patnaik said in a post on X.
Patra, the BJP candidate from Puri Lok Sabha seat, landed in a row in Odisha on Monday after he told a local news channel that "Lord Jagannath is a devotee (bhakt) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi." He later described it as a "slip of the tongue."