Naveen stakes claim; Ganeshi Lal invites to form govt

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal has invited Naveen Patnaik to form the next government in the state after the BJD president staked claim on Sunday.

Earlier, at a meeting held at the party headquarters here, the newly elected MLAs of BJD elected Patnaik as the leader of the BJD legislature party. The party has won 112 seats in the 147-member House.

"The honourable MLAs have elected me as their leader. I am very grateful to them," said the Chief Minister, who will be sworn in as CM of the State for a record fifth time on May 29. The new government's swearing-in ceremony will be held at the Exhibition Ground here.

Meanwhile, the party's first parliamentary party meeting was held today at the Naveen Niwas. All the 12 newly-elected BJD MPs attended the meeting, where party's likely strategy in the parliament was discussed, suggest reports.

The party would mainly lay emphasis on the three issues of Special Category State status for Odisha, more funds for calamity management and 33 per cent reservation for women in Assembly and Parliament, said the party's MP-elect Chandrasekhar Sahu.

“12 MPs have won from the party and seven are first time MPs. The Parliamentarians will make all effort to safeguard the interests of the State, and ensure that the Central government pays attention to the State’s demands,” opined Bhartruhari Mahtab, winner from Cuttack LS seat.

On the other hand, the youngest MP of the country, Chandrani Murmu, said she will draw attention of the Lok Sabha on several issues afflicting people of Keonjhar LS constituency.

Meanwhile, DGP RP Sharma today visited the IDCO Exhibition Ground to review the security arrangements for the swearing-in ceremony of the new government.

As many as 5,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony, where Patnaik and his council of ministers will take the oath of office and secrecy. Besides, invited guests from outside the State are likely to witness the event.

For which, the exhibition ground will be put under the CCTV surveillance. Security personnel will also be deployed at nearby buildings.

Twin City Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty has been made the in-charge of the security arrangements for the event.

“Our main objective is to ensure proper security to all VVIPs and other dignitaries, regulate the people movement who come to attend the function. We are making elaborate arrangements for traffic and parking around the venue. Security gadgets will be used to aid the police to ensure a full proof security,” observed the DGP.