Bhubaneswar

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Thursday described June 4 as a landmark date in the state's political journey, marking two years since the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a historic victory in the Assembly elections and came to power in Odisha.

In a message shared on social media, Majhi expressed gratitude to the people of the state for placing their trust in the BJP and said the mandate had ushered in a new phase of governance focused on transparency, accountability and inclusive development.

Calling the day "momentous and glorious" in Odisha's political history, the chief minister said the electorate's decisive support for the BJP had ended years of political stagnation and paved the way for a cleaner, more progressive administration.

He stated that the government has remained committed to the welfare of all sections of society and has worked consistently to improve governance while ensuring that public welfare remains at the centre of policymaking.

Majhi said the Odisha government has drawn inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's principles of service, good governance and welfare-oriented development. He added that the coordination between the Centre and the state under the BJP's "double-engine" model has accelerated development across multiple sectors over the past two years.

According to the chief minister, the confidence and support shown by the people have strengthened the government's resolve to transform Odisha into one of India's leading states.

He urged citizens to participate in the broader national goal of building a developed India while contributing to the vision of a prosperous Odisha. He expressed confidence that collective efforts would help take the state to new heights of progress and prosperity.

The BJP formed its first-ever government in Odisha after winning the 2024 Assembly elections, the results of which were declared on June 4. The party secured 78 seats in the 147-member Assembly, ending the long dominance of the Biju Janata Dal in the state.

Majhi, a four-time legislator from Keonjhar, emerged as the BJP's surprise choice for the chief minister's post and was sworn in on June 12, 2024.

Meanwhile, senior BJD leader Debi Prasad Mishra maintained that despite the BJP's electoral victory, former chief minister Naveen Patnaik continues to enjoy widespread public support.

Mishra pointed out that the BJD secured a slightly higher share of the popular vote in the 2024 elections, receiving 40.22 per cent of votes compared to the BJP's 40.07 per cent.

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He asserted that people continue to have faith in Patnaik's leadership and said the BJD is fulfilling its responsibilities as a constructive and accountable opposition party in the state.