Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s 23-Year Reign Faces BJP Challenge
Naveen Patnaik, the long-standing Chief Minister of Odisha, faces a formidable challenge to his 23-year rule as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerges as a strong competitor in the state’s assembly elections.
Patnaik’s aspiration to surpass the record of Pawan Kumar Chamling, the former Chief Minister of Sikkim, who held office for 24 years and 165 days, is now under threat.
With the election results rolling in, the Election Commission reports that the BJP is leading on 78 seats in Odisha, while Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is ahead on 52 seats. The Congress, trailing behind, holds 15 seats out of the total 147.
The ongoing tally shows several of Patnaik’s ministers trailing in their respective constituencies. Notable figures include Assembly Speaker Pramila Mallik, Finance Minister Bikram Arukha, Forest and Environment Minister PK Amat, Science and Technology Minister Ashok Panda, Water Resources Minister Tukuni Sahu, Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick, and Planning and Coordination Minister Rajendra Dholakia.
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The BJP’s surge is not limited to the assembly elections; they are also dominating the Lok Sabha polls in Odisha. Out of the 21 seats, BJP candidates are leading in 17 seats, while BJD candidates are ahead in three.
The Odisha Assembly elections, spanning 147 seats, were conducted across four phases: May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1, coinciding with the Lok Sabha elections in the state.
In the previous Lok Sabha elections held in 2019, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) secured the highest number of seats, winning 112 out of the total 147. The BJP came in second with 23 seats, while the Congress party managed to secure nine seats.
As the final results of the current elections draw near, the political landscape of Odisha seems poised for a significant shift, potentially marking the end of Naveen Patnaik’s prolonged tenure as Chief Minister. Make a headline in support of BJP
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