Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi, Naveen among 100 MLAs to take oath during special session

BHUBANESWAR: As the special session of Odisha assembly convened for the oath-taking of new MLAs on Tuesday after the recent Vidhan Sabha election, a significant shift in the political landscape was evident.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi and his two deputies — Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida — former CM Naveen Patnaik along with many MLAs took oath as members of the legislative assembly.
Amid the proceedings, a notable exchange took place between Naveen and newly elected Kantabanji MLA Laxman Bag. As Naveen walked past Bag, the latter stood up from his seat and greeted the former CM, prompting Naveen to respond with a light-hearted remark, “Oh, you defeated me.”
BJD MLA Pratap Keshari Deb was accompanying Naveen. Bag had defeated Naveen from Kantabanji constituency by a margin of 16,344 votes, marking the former CM’s first electoral defeat as an MLA. Naveen contested from two seats and secured a win from Hinjili. This time, Naveen’s party, BJD, also tasted its first poll defeat.
The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and relaxation, with laughter echoing through the chamber. After nearly quarter of a century, a new govt has been formed ending BJD rule since the turn of millennium.
Pro-tem speaker Ranendra Pratap Swain administered oath to around 100 MLAs amid the friendly interactions among the legislators, regardless of their party affiliations, a sharp contrast from the bitter and fierce campaigning witnessed in the elections. The rest of the MLAs will be sworn in Wednesday. The MLAs are scheduled to elect a new speaker on Thursday. BJD MLAs are scheduled to separately meet on Wednesday to elect the leader of its legislature party. BJD sources said Naveen is most likely to be elected leader of the legislature party and will later take over as leader of the opposition in the assembly.
BJD shared a video clip of Naveen taking oath as an MLA on X and wrote, “The determination to serve is strengthened. President Shri@Naveen_Odisha participated in the oath-taking programme of the newly elected MLAs in the assembly and took oath as MLA in the presence of the speaker. The fight for the rights of the state will be intensified with the unwavering love and support of the people.”