In a historic moment for Odisha’s political landscape, Mohan Charan Majhi was sworn in as the state’s first Chief Minister from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday. Alongside him, senior BJP leader KV Singh Deo and newcomer Pravati Parida assumed the roles of Deputy Chief Ministers.
The oath-taking ceremony, presided over by Governor Rabghubar Das, witnessed the presence of notable dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP chief JP Nadda, and Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and others.
This significant political shift marks the end of the Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) 24-year rule in Odisha, with the BJP clinching a clear mandate in the recent elections. Securing 78 out of 147 Assembly seats, the saffron party’s triumph reshapes the state’s political landscape.
So, who is Mohan Charan Majhi?
At 53, Mohan Charan Majhi makes history as Odisha’s third tribal Chief Minister, following in the footsteps of Hemanand Biswal and Giridhar Gamang. A veteran politician, Majhi has served as a four-term legislator, representing the Keonjhar assembly constituency since 2000.
Hailing from the Santhal tribe, Majhi’s journey to the helm of state leadership began as a former sarpanch (village head). Known for his articulate advocacy, he has emerged as a prominent tribal voice in Odisha.
Majhi’s commitment to social and environmental causes has earned him respect across party lines. Notably, in 2009, he spearheaded efforts to address rampant mining in the Joda and Barbil regions, leading to a judicial inquiry by retired Supreme Court Justice MB Shah.
In the 2024 Odisha assembly elections, Majhi secured a convincing victory, defeating his BJD counterpart Meena Majhi by a margin of 11,577 votes. His resounding electoral success underscores his popularity and influence among constituents.
As Mohan Charan Majhi assumes the mantle of Odisha’s Chief Minister, his tenure promises to usher in a new era of governance, with expectations running high for transformative leadership and inclusive development in the state.
