BJP Meeting Underway To Choose New Odisha CM, Rajnath And Bhupender Yadav Among Attendees

The BJP legislature party meeting to select the chief minister of Odisha has begun in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday evening, a party leader said.

The meeting began on Tuesday evening in the presence of Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Bhupender Yadav, who are attending the crucial meet as observers. 

The BJP secured a majority by winning 78 of the 147 assembly seats in the recently held assembly elections, the result of which was announced on June 4. 

VIDEO | Union Minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) arrives at party office in Bhubaneswar to elect party’s legislative party leader. pic.twitter.com/iifU3C1itR

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 11, 2024

While the names of Suresh Pujari and Girish Murmu are going in the rounds for the CM post, several party leaders have anticipated that the BJP leadership might make a surprise announcement. 

The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held on June 12 at 5 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to arrive in Bhubaneswar at 2.30 pm on Wednesday and proceed to Raj Bhavan from the airport, as per BJP sources.

BJP is all set to form its maiden government in Odisha and has invited BJD president and outgoing chief minister Naveen Patnaik for the swearing-in ceremony scheduled on June 12.

The party has sent the first invitation card for the ceremony to Lord Jagannath in Puri and it was delivered at the 12th-century shrine by some newly elected MLAs.