Mohan Charan Majhi has been elected as the new Chief Minister of Odisha following his selection as the leader of the BJP legislature party. The 52-year-old Majhi will be the first BJP Chief Minister of Odisha, marking a significant political shift in the state. He is set to take the oath of office on June 12, in a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Here are five key facts about the four-time MLA:

Historic Win for BJP:

Mohan Majhi's election as Chief Minister signifies the end of Naveen Patnaik’s 24-year rule. The BJP secured a decisive victory in the recent assembly elections, winning 74 seats in the 147-member House. This win marks a historic moment for the BJP as it forms the government in Odisha for the first time since the state's inception.

Deputy Chief Ministers:

The BJP has also appointed Prabhati Parida and KV Sing Deo as deputy chief ministers. These decisions were made during the BJP legislature party meeting, attended by senior leaders including Rajnath Singh and Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, who served as observers.

Political and Community Background:

Majhi, a tribal leader, was first elected to the Odisha assembly from the Keonjhar seat in 2000 and has represented the constituency since. Before his tenure as an MLA, he served as a Sarapanch from 1997 to 2000 and was a member of the Standing Committee of S.C. & S.T. under the ORV Act. He also served as the government Deputy Chief Whip from 2005 to 2009 during the Biju Janata Dal (BJD)-BJP coalition government.

Education and Public Service:

Majhi's educational journey includes passing his higher secondary from Jhumpura High School in 1987, completing Class 12th from Anandapur College in 1990, earning a BA degree from Chandra Sekhar College, Champua, and a LLB degree from Dhenkanal Law College. He is known for his public service and organizational skills, which have been crucial in his political career.

Significance of His Appointment:

Majhi becomes the third tribal Chief Minister of Odisha, following Giridhar Gamang and Hemananda Biswal of the Congress. His leadership represents a significant moment for the tribal community in Odisha, coming more than 24 years after the state last had a tribal chief minister. Biswal, the first tribal to lead Odisha, served two terms and was a six-time MLA, while Gamang, his predecessor, was also a prominent figure, serving multiple terms in both state and national legislatures.

Majhi’s victory over BJD’s Mina Majhi in the recent assembly elections by a margin of 11,577 votes underscores his strong political standing. As he prepares to take on the role of Chief Minister, his tenure is anticipated to bring significant changes to the political and socio-economic landscape of Odisha.