Published 12:38 IST, May 29th 2019
WATCH: In a nostalgic video, Naveen Patnaik sums up his journey of 19 years as Odisha CM as he takes oath for a fifth term
Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday, May 29 took oath as the Chief Minister of Odisha for a fifth consecutive term.
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Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday, May 29 took oath as the Chief Minister of Odisha for a fifth consecutive term. His team of ministers also administered the oath of the office. On the eve of the swearing-in, 11 cabinet ministers and nine ministers of state were appointed on Patnaik's recommendation. The new team of ministers will have 10 new faces.
Patnaik was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Ganeshi Lal in a grand ceremony at the Idco Exhibition Ground. The BJD, which won 112 seats in the 147-member Assembly in the recently concluded elections, held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls, has been in power in Odisha since 2000. It is the first time Patnaik has taken oath in an open public ground. In 2000, 2004, 2009 and 2014, he was sworn in at the Raj Bhavan. Apart from Chief Minister's elder brother and businessman Prem Patnaik, sister and noted writer Gita Mehta, around 7,000 dignitaries attended the swearing-in ceremony. A large number of BJD supporters and women grass root leaders attended the function.
Tweeting a 'nostalgic' video comprising of all the pictures of his oath-taking ceremony, Naveen Patnaik said that he humbly accepts the faith that 4.5 crore people has reposed on him for 19 years.
In the morning on May 29, Naveen Patnaik visited Srimandira to seek blessings before beginning yet another term as the CM of Odisha.
Minutes after Naveen Patnaik took the oath, Prime Minister-elect Modi tendered his best wishes to the CM and assured that there will be complete cooperation from Centre towards Odisha's progress. Here's his message:
Meanwhile, on Tuesday sources confirmed that Patnaik along with Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao and Andhra Chief Minister-elect Jagan Mohan Reddy will be attending the ceremony of Prime Minister Modi's swearing-in on Thursday at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
11:52 IST, May 29th 2019