Naveen Patnaik takes oath as Odisha CM

Naveen Patnaik, President of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), took charge as the Chief Minister of Odisha for the fifth consecutive time. In a first, Patnaik took the oath in a grand ceremony at the Idco Exhibition Ground on Wednesday, which was attended by BJD cadres and supporters.

Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday, took oath as the Chief Minister of Odisha for a fifth consecutive term.

Patnaik was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Governor Ganeshi Lal in a grand ceremony at the Idco Exhibition Ground here. Along with Patnaik, his 21 ministers were also sworn in.

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 7000 dignitaries including captains of industries attended the swearing-in ceremony.

A large number of BJD supporters and women grass root leaders attended the function.