PM Modi and Naveen Patnaik Exchange Greetings at Swearing-In After Intense Campaign

The BJP secured a total of 78 out of 147 Assembly seats in Odisha, marking a significant victory. Leading up to the elections, there were high-profile interactions between PM Modi and Mr Patnaik, the incumbent Chief Minister, who had held the position for 24 years.

Video footage showed the two leaders exchanging greetings and shaking hands at an oath-taking ceremony for the new BJP Chief Minister, Mr Majhi. This event followed the breakdown of an anticipated alliance between the BJP and the BJD, prompting intense campaigning and attacks between the two parties in the lead-up to the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly elections.

The PM and Mr Patnaik engaged in verbal sparring, departing from their previously amicable relationship. Notably, the BJD had previously supported the BJP in passing significant legislation in Parliament.

However, during the election campaign, the then Chief Minister reminded PM Modi of unfulfilled promises while the PM forecasted that a BJP Chief Minister would be sworn in on June 10, a prediction that was initially met with skepticism from the BJD. After the elections, Mr Majhi became the first BJP Chief Minister of Odisha, marking the end of Mr Patnaik’s five-term rule since 2000.

The BJP also secured victory in 20 out of 21 Lok Sabha constituencies, effectively reshaping the political landscape in the state.