 "Naveen likely to take oath on May 21")
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has begun the process to form its fourth successive government in Odisha after receiving its larger-than-ever mandate in the recently announced election results for the state assembly.
The BJD legislators'' party today chose Naveen Patnaik as their leader. Patnaik is expected to take oath as the chief minister for the record fourth time on May 21. His ministry would consist of 21 members.
But it is still not clear whether the full council of ministers will take oath along with Patnaik or the ministerial berths will be filled up in phases.
"I thank the newly elected MLAs of Biju Janata Dal for electing me as their leader. We will work with renewed energy for the development of the people of our state," Patnaik told the media persons later.
Though BJD has swept the assembly polls in the state grabbing 117 seats in the 147-member house, three ministers' in the outgoing ministry, including finance minister Prasanna Acharya, have lost the election. Similarly, another cabinet minister and senior party leader, Kalpataru Das has opted for Rajya Sabha.
This has not made Patnaik's task of choosing his council of ministers any easier as there are 30 MLAs among the winners who were either ministers in the outgoing ministry or previous to that. Besides, there are also claimants for ministerial berths from among some young leaders.
The BJD legislators'' party today chose Naveen Patnaik as their leader. Patnaik is expected to take oath as the chief minister for the record fourth time on May 21. His ministry would consist of 21 members.
But it is still not clear whether the full council of ministers will take oath along with Patnaik or the ministerial berths will be filled up in phases.
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At the party headquarters here today, senior most MLA, V Sugyan Kumari Deo moved the proposal naming Patnaik as the legislative party leader and it was supported by party vice-president Damodar Rout. All other elected members of the party accepted the proposal by clapping.
"I thank the newly elected MLAs of Biju Janata Dal for electing me as their leader. We will work with renewed energy for the development of the people of our state," Patnaik told the media persons later.
Though BJD has swept the assembly polls in the state grabbing 117 seats in the 147-member house, three ministers' in the outgoing ministry, including finance minister Prasanna Acharya, have lost the election. Similarly, another cabinet minister and senior party leader, Kalpataru Das has opted for Rajya Sabha.
This has not made Patnaik's task of choosing his council of ministers any easier as there are 30 MLAs among the winners who were either ministers in the outgoing ministry or previous to that. Besides, there are also claimants for ministerial berths from among some young leaders.