Chief Minister of Odisha, Mohan Charan Majhi (Image source: Swarajya)
Shri Mohan Charan Majhi’s selection as Chief Minister of Odisha reflects the party’s belief in giving opportunities to leaders from diverse backgrounds, thereby supporting inclusivity and diversity within the party. The party has made Shri Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo and Mrs. Prabhati Parida as Deputy Chief Ministers. This move by the BJP showcases the party’s commitment to rewarding hard work and dedication, regardless of background or status. It shows that in the BJP, anyone who works hard and proves their worth can rise to the top positions. Overall, this development in Odisha highlights the unique and meritocratic approach of the BJP, where dedicated karyakartas can rise to the highest levels of leadership within the part.
Mohan Charan Majhi has had a remarkable journey as a grassroots tribal leader, starting from humble beginnings in a tribal family in Kendujhar district. Majhi’s career began as the Acharya of Saraswati Shishu Vidya Mandir, which Vidya Bharati ran. His dedication to public service led him to be elected as the Sarpanch of Raikala Panchayat in Kendujhar district. His political career saw him elected as an MLA for the first time in 2000 from the Kendujhar Assembly seat in the BJP-BJD alliance. He continued to serve as an MLA in 2004 and also took on the role of Deputy Chief Whip of the ruling party.
Despite facing defeats in the 2009 and 2014 elections, Majhi’s perseverance and strong leadership qualities led to his triumphant return in 2019, winning for the third time and reaching the Assembly. This time, he was entrusted with the responsibility of Chief Whip of the Opposition, showcasing his growing influence and capabilities within the political sphere. In addition to his role as Chief Whip of the Opposition, he was appointed the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman.
Four-time MLA Mohan Majhi does not have experience working as a minister in the government, but his track record of standing up for the rights of the people makes him a promising choice for the position of CM. He also has experience as the Chief Whip of the Opposition and Chairman of the PAC. Therefore, he knows the problems of the people very well. In terms of age, he is 52 years old, that is, relatively young.
Kanak Vardhan Singhdeo has been selected as deputy chief minister. He is an experienced politician from Patnagarh who has run the government as a minister from the BJP quota in the BJP-BJD alliance government from 2000 to 2009. Smt. Prabhati Parida, a first-time MLA from Nimapada, has also been entrusted with the responsibility of Deputy Chief Minister. Biju Janata Dal used to talk about women’s empowerment, but the BJP has made a woman deputy chief minister for the first time.
Apart from a Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers, 13 more ministers have been included in the Mohan Majhi’s council of ministers. It includes eight cabinet ministers and five state ministers (independent charge). A total of 13 districts have been given representation in this cabinet. A maximum of 22 ministers can be made in the Odisha cabinet. Therefore, if necessary, in the coming days, the Chief Minister can expand his cabinet and give representation to other districts. The possibilities for this have been kept open.
Many first-time MLAs have been included in the ministry. These include Deputy Chief Minister Prabhati Parida, Suresh Pujari, Prithviraj Harichandan, Dr. Krishna Chandra Mohapatra, Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, Pradeep Bal Samant, Gokulananda Mallick and Sampad Swain. These new ministers bring fresh perspectives, energy, and ideas, which can help drive positive change and progress within the government.
Including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, four ministers in the cabinet are from the Scheduled Tribes category, while two are from the Scheduled Caste category. Compared to the state’s previous cabinet, the Mohan Charan Majhi cabinet is quite young. Twenty-eight years old, Suryavanshi Suraj is the youngest minister in this council of ministers. Kanak Bardhan Singhdeo is the oldest in the cabinet. He is 68 years old. The Mohan Majhi cabinet can be called a balanced cabinet in a way. All sections of society and a diverse range of voices are given representation in it.
The people of the state also have high expectations of the new government, as it came to power by defeating the BJD, which was in power for 24 years. Fulfilling these expectations will be a big challenge for the BJP government.
It sounds like Chief Minister Mohan Majhi wastes no time addressing the people’s expectations and fulfilling promises made during his campaign. Opening the four gates of Puri Srimandir right after his first cabinet meeting shows a proactive approach towards meeting these expectations. This move signals a commitment to fulfilling cultural and religious promises and sets a precedent for swift action in other areas of governance. Balancing immediate actions with long-term strategies will be crucial for the BJP government to maintain public trust and deliver on its commitments effectively.
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi is emphasizing a strong start to his government’s agenda, aiming to transform Odisha into a developed state from day one. He criticized the previous 24-year rule as disconnected from the people and expressed confidence that the BJP-led “double-engine” government will reignite progress stalled for over two decades. The immediate priorities include drafting guidelines for increasing the minimum support price of paddy to Rs 3,100 per quintal and issuing Rs 50,000 cash vouchers to every woman, both commitments made in their election manifesto. These initiatives underscore a proactive approach to governance and commitment to fulfilling electoral promises swiftly.
Implementing these two key schemes, increasing the minimum support price of paddy and providing cash vouchers to women, will be a significant challenge for the new government in Odisha. While these initiatives are crucial promises made during the election campaign, ensuring their successful execution without causing financial strain on the state’s resources will require careful planning and management.
Due to lacking employment opportunities, Odisha’s youth are migrating to other states. During the election campaign, many senior BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, raised this issue strongly. These BJP leaders also assured the people of the state that after the BJP government is formed in Odisha, employment opportunities will be created in various sectors.
Indeed, addressing the lack of employment opportunities and stemming youth migration from Odisha will be a significant challenge for the new BJP government. Fulfilling the promise of creating employment in various sectors will require a comprehensive and long-term strategy that provides sustainable opportunities for the youth.
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