The Odisha Assembly Elections 2024 were conducted alongside the Lok Sabha Elections, resulting in significant changes in the state’s political landscape. With the BJP-led NDA winning the elections, there has been much speculation about who will take over as the next Chief Minister of Odisha. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has recently addressed these speculations, providing some clarity on the matter.
The 2024 Odisha Assembly Elections coincided with the Lok Sabha Elections, altering the state’s political landscape. With the BJP-led NDA emerging victorious, questions arise about the next Chief Minister of Odisha. Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has shed some light on this matter.
Who will succeed Naveen Patnaik?
Naveen Patnaik, leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and former Chief Minister of Odisha, faced defeat in the recent elections. This has led to questions about who will succeed him. Patnaik, in a recent interaction with reporters, made it clear that VK Pandian, a close associate and former IAS officer, will not be his successor. He emphasized that the decision will ultimately be made by the people of Odisha.
Following his defeat in the recent elections, Naveen Patnaik, the leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), resigned as Chief Minister. The BJP’s triumph in Odisha, alongside the Lok Sabha polls, has sparked discussions about Patnaik’s successor.
Election Results and Resignation
The results of the Odisha Assembly Elections 2024 saw the BJP emerging victorious, ending the long reign of the BJD. After his defeat, Naveen Patnaik resigned from his position as Chief Minister. The BJP’s victory in Odisha is part of a larger success story for the party, which also won the Lok Sabha elections, with Narendra Modi set to take oath as Prime Minister on June 9, 2024.
The BJP’s victory in the Odisha Assembly Elections 2024 led to Naveen Patnaik stepping down as Chief Minister. This development came amidst the BJP’s broader success in both the state and national elections.
Patnaik’s Statement on Successor
In a conversation with reporters in Bhubaneshwar, Patnaik said, “I would like to say that Mr. Pandian has also worked and helped in health, education, sports, and our programme of temple restoration. Mr. Pandian joined the party but has not had any posts. I have always clearly said that when they asked me about my successor, I said clearly that it was not Mr. Pandian. I repeat it. The people of Odisha will decide my successor.”
Patnaik clarified his stance on his potential successor, asserting that VK Pandian, a close associate and former IAS officer, would not assume the role. He emphasized that the decision ultimately rests with the people of Odisha.
Who is VK Pandian?
VK Pandian is an IAS officer from the 2000 batch who has served as the private secretary to Naveen Patnaik for over two decades. In 2023, he took voluntary retirement from the bureaucracy and joined the BJD. Speaking about Pandian, Patnaik said, “It has also come to my attention that there has been some criticism of Mr. Pandian. This is unfortunate. As an officer, he did excellent work. He did an excellent job helping with the two cyclones and the COVID-19 epidemic in our state. Later, he retired from bureaucracy and joined my party and he has contributed largely to that by doing excellent work. He is a person of integrity and honesty and he should be respected for that.”
VK Pandian, a retired IAS officer, served as Patnaik’s private secretary for over two decades. Despite criticism, Patnaik commended Pandian’s contributions to various state initiatives.
Action Shifts to Delhi for Selection
With the formation of a new BJP government in Odisha scheduled for June 10, the focus has shifted to Delhi. Several MLAs have been summoned to the national capital, where the central leadership is expected to decide on the new leader of the BJP legislature party. Separate meetings with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP national president JP Nadda are planned to finalize the choice of the new Chief Minister.
With the BJP preparing for the new government’s swearing-in ceremony on June 10, attention has turned to Delhi. Several MLAs have been summoned to finalize the new Chief Minister, with meetings scheduled with senior BJP leaders.
BJP’s Victory Celebrations
BJP supporters celebrated the party’s victory in both the Odisha Assembly and Lok Sabha elections with great enthusiasm. The BJP’s success marks the end of Naveen Patnaik’s 24-year-long rule. The party won 78 out of 147 Assembly seats and swept 20 out of 21 Lok Sabha seats, creating history in Odisha’s political scenario.
The BJP’s landslide victory in Odisha, ending Patnaik’s 24-year reign, has been met with jubilation among party supporters. This historic win marks a significant shift in the state’s political landscape.
Preparations for Swearing-In Ceremony
As preparations for the swearing-in ceremony get started, the venue, Janata Maidan, is being ready for a grand event. The BJP parliamentary board is expected to finalize the new Chief Minister’s name and the council of ministers. State unit chief Manmohan Samal and Sambalpur MLA Jayanarayana Mishra, both members of the BJP parliamentary board, are already in Delhi to oversee the proceedings.
As preparations for the swearing-in ceremony gather pace, Janata Maidan is being readied for the occasion. The BJP parliamentary board is expected to finalize the new Chief Minister and council of ministers.
Meetings and Decisions
A meeting of all elected BJP legislators from Odisha has been convened in Bhubaneshwar on Saturday. According to Kuchinda MLA Rabi Narayan Nayak, “As announced by state president Manmohan Samal, BJP’s parliamentary board will decide on the chief minister. The BJP legislature party will approve the name decided by the parliamentary board at its meeting on Saturday.” Meanwhile, all MPs and some MLAs are in Delhi for further discussions.
Meetings are underway in both Bhubaneshwar and Delhi to determine the new Chief Minister. State legislators are convening to approve the parliamentary board’s decision, while central leaders meet to finalize the candidate.
Conclusion
The selection of the next Chief Minister of Odisha is a crucial decision that will shape the future of the state. Naveen Patnaik’s clarification that VK Pandian will not be his successor leaves the field open for other potential candidates. As the BJP’s central leadership meets in Delhi to finalize the decision, the people of Odisha eagerly await the announcement. The new leadership will face the challenge of meeting the expectations of the electorate and continuing the development journey of the state. The political dynamics in Odisha have significantly shifted with the BJP’s victory, and the upcoming days will be pivotal in determining the state’s new direction.