Three days after being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday allocated portfolios among his ministers, retaining key departments including finance, home, general administration, water resources, and information and public relations.
Mohan Charan Majhi, who leads the first-ever Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state, made the announcements following the party’s historic win in the recent assembly polls. The BJP secured 78 out of 147 assembly seats, forming its maiden government in Odisha. This victory marked a significant shift in the state’s political landscape, which had been dominated by the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for years.
Key Portfolios
- Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo: Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Energy
- Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida: Women and Child Development, Mission Shakti, Tourism (First-time MLA and the only woman minister in the cabinet)
- Suresh Pujari: Revenue and Disaster Management
- Rabi Naik: Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Drinking Water
- Nityanand Gond: SC/ST Development, School and Mass Education, Social Security, People with Disabilities Empowerment
- Prithviraj Harichandan: Law, Excise, Public Works (First-time MLA)
- Mukesh Mahaling: Health and Family Welfare, Parliamentary Affairs, Electronic and Information Technology
- Bibhuti Bhushan Jena: Steel and Mines (First-time MLA)
Ministers with Independent Charge
- Suryabanshi Suraj: Higher Education, Sports and Youth Services, Odia Language (Dalit MLA)
- Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia: Forest and Environment (Tribal politician from Mayurbhanj district)
Election Results and Political Shift
In the assembly elections, the BJP’s victory marked a historic change with the party winning 78 seats. The BJD, led by Naveen Patnaik, experienced its worst performance in assembly polls, securing only 51 seats. Patnaik, who contested from two seats, lost in Kantabanji but narrowly won in Hinjili by 4,600 votes. Additionally, 11 of his ministers were defeated in the elections.
In the concurrent Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 20 out of 21 seats, with the remaining seat of Koraput going to Congress.
The allocation of portfolios by Chief Minister Majhi reflects the BJP’s strategic approach to governance, aiming to deliver on its promises and effectively manage the state’s resources and development needs. The newly formed cabinet, comprising experienced politicians and first-time MLAs, is expected to bring fresh perspectives and robust administrative skills to the forefront of Odisha’s governance.
