BHUBANESWAR, India – The president of Odisha’s state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Manmohan Samal, has publicly defended the timing of the new government’s ministry appointments, asserting that the Odisha cabinet expansion was a considered decision made at the “right time.” His comments come as the first-ever BJP government in the state, led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, begins its term after a landmark election victory.
A Historic Mandate and a Deliberate Process
Following a decisive win in the state assembly elections that ended the 24-year tenure of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, there was a period of anticipation before the new government was fully formed. Manmohan Samal addressed this period, dismissing any speculation of a delay.
“The decision on cabinet formation was taken at the right time. There was no delay,” Samal told reporters in Bhubaneswar. According to reports from the Press Trust of India, he emphasized that the selection of ministers was a deliberate process aimed at creating a balanced and effective team to govern the state. The BJP secured 78 seats in the 147-member Odisha Assembly, a clear majority that paved the way for this historic political transition.
The new council of ministers was sworn in on June 12, with Mohan Charan Majhi, a four-time legislator with strong grassroots connections, taking the helm as the new Chief Minister. He is supported by two Deputy Chief Ministers, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, a senior leader from a royal family, and Pravati Parida, a first-time minister and prominent female face of the party in the state.
Composition of the New Odisha Government
The newly formed cabinet reflects a mix of experience and new faces, a strategy political analysts suggest is aimed at both administrative stability and rewarding new leaders. The cabinet includes a total of 16 members, including the Chief Minister and his two deputies. Eight members are senior legislators, while five are first-time Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) who have been given cabinet responsibilities.
Key Ministerial Appointments
The allocation of portfolios saw Chief Minister Majhi retaining key departments such as Home, General Administration, and Finance, a common practice for state leaders to maintain control over critical governance areas.
- K.V. Singh Deo was assigned the crucial Agriculture and Energy departments.
- Pravati Parida has been given the significant roles of Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti, and Tourism.
Other senior leaders like Suresh Pujari, Rabi Narayan Naik, and Nityananda Gond have also been inducted into the cabinet, overseeing departments ranging from Revenue and Disaster Management to Rural Development. According to a report from The Hindu, the composition seeks to balance regional representation across different parts of Odisha.
Challenges and Expectations for the Majhi Administration
The new Odisha government faces the immediate challenge of meeting the high expectations set by its election manifesto, titled “Sankalp Patra.” Key promises included creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and enhancing welfare programs for farmers and women. The previous BJD government had established extensive welfare schemes, and the new administration will be closely watched on how it manages and potentially expands upon them.
Dr. Prabir Kumar Das, a political science professor at Utkal University, commented on the transition. “The BJP’s victory was driven by a powerful campaign for change, or ‘parivartan.’ The Majhi government’s first 100 days will be critical in demonstrating its commitment to its electoral promises,” he said. “The cabinet’s blend of seasoned politicians and newcomers will be tested as they navigate the state’s complex administrative machinery.”
The opposition BJD, now adjusting to its new role after more than two decades in power, has pledged to act as a constructive yet vigilant watchdog. A BJD spokesperson stated that the party would hold the new government accountable for its promises to the people of Odisha.
The formation of the cabinet is the first major step for the new administration. Its performance in the coming months will determine whether it can consolidate its historic victory and effectively govern a state undergoing a significant political transformation.
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FAQs
1. Who is the new Chief Minister of Odisha?
Mohan Charan Majhi, a four-time MLA from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Odisha on June 12, 2024.
2. Why was this election result significant for Odisha?
This election marked a major political shift, as it was the first time the BJP won a majority in the state assembly. It ended the 24-year rule of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and its leader, Naveen Patnaik.
3. Who are the Deputy Chief Ministers in the new Odisha government?
The two Deputy Chief Ministers are Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida.
