NEW DELHI: In Odisha, political activities have gained momentum following the the victory of BJP in the state Assembly elections where the party won 78 of the 147 seats. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) faced a shocking defeat securing 51 seats while the Congress won 14 seats and four went to others.

Following his party’s defeat, BJD Chief and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik submitted his resignation to Governor Raghubar Das at the Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.

Meanwhile, state BJP leaders are meeting in Bhubaneswar to discuss formation of the state government and also on the name of first BJP Chief ministerial candidate.

Mr Patnaik is the longest serving chief minister of Odisha who served for five consecutive terms spreading over 24 years and three months. He first took the oath of chief minister of Odisha on 5th of March in 2000.  

The Biju Janata Dal faced a shocking defeat at the hands of BJP which won 78 of the 147 seats in Odisha Assembly comfortably surpassing the magic number of 74. The BJD was able to secure 51 Assembly seats while the Congress won 14 seats with four seats going to others.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on the BJP’s face for chief minister. Former Union Minister and six-time MP Jual Oram, national vice-president Baijayant Panda and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, are seen as potential chief ministerial candidates. But all these leaders have won the Lok Sabha elections.

Oram has stated that he does not aspire to be the CM but would faithfully fulfill his duties if given the responsibility. He also said that there are many capable leaders in the party.

The BJP might surprise with a different chief minister candidate.