“Odisha’s new era: Mohan Charan Majhi takes the reins as BJP’s first tribal Chief Minister.”

In a historic political shift for Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi has been sworn in as the state’s first tribal Chief Minister under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) banner. This development marks the end of an era dominated by Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which held power for 24 years.

Majhi, 52, who hails from Keonjhar and is serving his fourth term as MLA, assumes office with a mandate bolstered by the BJP’s recent electoral triumph, securing a majority on the promise of transformative change. Addressing the aspirations of Odisha’s 45 million people, Majhi vowed to make the state “number one” through a collaborative governance approach.

Unlike his predecessor’s centralised governance style, Majhi’s administration will feature two deputies, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, 62, and Pravati Parida, 57, indicating a departure towards shared leadership and consultation. Drawing parallels with BJP’s successful models in other states, the new government plans to implement a governance formula focusing on consultation, devolution, and oversight, accommodating multiple stakeholders in decision-making processes.

Majhi’s ascension to power symbolises a significant political realignment in Odisha, promising a departure from past norms and a fresh direction in governance. With high expectations from the electorate following the end of Patnaik’s long tenure, the onus is now on Majhi and his team to deliver on their promises and steer Odisha towards a new era of progress and development.