Naveen Patnaik opts for a lean Cabinet for fifth straight term as CM

10 new faces, including two women, inducted to the new Cabinet

Bjiu Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik took oath as Odisha’s chief minister for the fifth straight term. He is the third CM after Jyoti Basu (West Bengal) and Pawan Kumar Chamling (Sikkim) to achieve the rare distinction.

Odisha’s Governor Ganeshi Lal administered the oath of office and secrecy to Patnaik and his new Council of 20 ministers.

Patnaik led BJD to a thumping win in the 2019 assembly elections, winning 112 of 146 constituencies. The immense mandate blew away the Modi wave seen in the Lok Sabha elections and anti-incumbency.

Election for Patkura (in Kendrapara district) had to be