Naveen Patnaik Reacts as BJD’s 25-Year Rule in Odisha Ends

Bhubaneswar: The political landscape of Odisha saw a significant shift on Tuesday as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), led by Naveen Patnaik, lost its grip on power in the state assembly elections.

The party, which had been at the helm for an unprecedented 25 years, fell short of the majority mark, securing only 50 seats in the assembly, 24 short of the majority mark.

Had the BJD secured another term, Patnaik would have made history as India’s longest-serving chief minister.

Taking to X, he extended his congratulations to all victorious candidates, transcending party lines. His tweet read, “My best wishes to all the winning candidates irrespective of party affiliation.”

ଦଳମତ ନିର୍ବିଶେଷରେ ବିଜୟୀ ସମସ୍ତ ପ୍ରାର୍ଥୀଙ୍କୁ ମୋର ଶୁଭେଚ୍ଛା। ବିଜୁ ଜନତା ଦଳର ସମସ୍ତ କର୍ମୀ ଓ ନେତାଙ୍କ ନିଷ୍ଠାପର ଉଦ୍ୟମ ଓ ତ୍ୟାଗ ପ୍ରତି ମୋର ସମ୍ମାନ ଓ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ଜଣାଉଛି।

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) June 4, 2024

Outgoing Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik also faced his first-ever electoral defeat as he lost from the Kantabanji assembly seat. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo, who has consistently won elections since 1998, was defeated by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Laxman Bag.

While Naveen Patnaik did manage to secure a victory from the Hinjili legislative constituency, his party faced major setbacks.

The BJP made substantial gains, winning 80 seats and positioning itself to form the government.