Bhubaneswar: As Odisha bids adieu to 2024 and welcomes the New Year, one would like to take a close look at some key figures who will often be remembered for their achievements, controversies, or significant influence in their own spheres. They drew considerable public attention through their actions several other reasons.
Mohan Charan Majhi
After BJP’s spectacular victory in the last elections in Odisha, tribal heavyweight Mohan Charan Majhi’s selection as the new Chief Minister was perhaps the most significant development in 2024. A five-time MLA from tribal-dominated and mineral-rich Keonjhar, Majhi is known for his strong opposition to corruption, illegal mining, and exploitation of tribal communities. He was chosen by the party primarily because of his simplicity, humility, and commitment to public welfare. Groomed in the RSS turf, Maji’s disciplined approach acted in his favour to emerge a consensus leader to be installed at the helm. Majhi’s selection also signals a strategic move to strengthen the party’s tribal outreach and focus on good governance. His leadership marks a new chapter for Odisha, making him a deserving newsmaker and a symbol of hope for the state’s future.
Manmohan Samal
Being the Odisha unit president of BJP, Manmohan Samal’s leadership played a significant role in ensuring a historic win in the Assembly elections and form its maiden government in Odisha. The run-up to the crucial elections had witnessed both BJD and BJP bargain into an alliance. Amidst hectic parleys between the two estranged partners, Samal was steadfast in his stand that the saffron party can go solo and snatch a victory. His conviction eventually prevailed and Samal fashioned a record win for the BJP which went on to grab 78 Assembly seats, dislodging the 24-year-old BJD rule in the state.
Naveen Patnaik
Odisha’s longest-serving Chief Minister, Naveen made headlines as his remarkable 24-year tenure came to an end following Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) defeat in both the twin elections. Known for his silent but transformative leadership, Naveen’s governance reshaped Odisha, leaving an indelible legacy. From launching landmark initiatives in health, education, and poverty alleviation to prioritizing women’s empowerment and heritage preservation through projects like the Sri Jagannath Heritage Corridor, his tenure was defined by sustained efforts to improve the state’s socio-economic landscape. Despite his party’s electoral setback, Naveen’s dedication to Odisha’s development garnered widespread respect. Even in defeat, he gracefully accepted the people’s verdict, marking a rare moment of dignity in contemporary politics. His contributions have positioned Odisha as a model for inclusive governance and disaster resilience. As a leader who consistently prioritized public welfare over political ambition, his exit in 2024 is not merely an end of an era but a defining moment in Indian politics.
Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo
A scion of the erstwhile Patnagarh royal family and a veteran BJP leader, K V Singh Deo is a six-time MLA with a political career spanning over three decades. He was a cabinet minister in the BJD-BJP coalition government from 2000 to 2009. Though he had faced defeat in 2019 polls, he captured his home turf of Patnagarh Assembly seat in 2024 despite a stiff challenge from BJD’s Saroj Meher. A prominent figure in the state’s political landscape, Singh Deo played a key role in strengthening BJP’s base in the state as he served as the party’s state president from 2013 to 2016. With his extensive experience and leadership credentials, he became one of the Deputy Chief Ministers in the BJP government. Significantly, he is the only member of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s cabinet with prior experience as a cabinet minister in the BJD-BJP coalition government from 2000 to 2009, giving him a deep understanding of governance and policymaking. Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo, who has been entrusted with the crucial portfolios of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, brings unparalleled expertise to the table.
Pravati Parida
Pravati Parida’s meteoric rise as Odisha’s first female Deputy Chief Minister, despite being a first-time MLA, has solidified her status as one of the state’s top newsmakers of 2024. Representing the Nimapara constituency, Parida defeated BJD leader Dilip Kumar Nayak by 4,588 votes in a fiercely contested election. Her achievement not only marks a significant milestone for women in Odisha politics but also underscores her leadership and determination. Parida’s journey to the Deputy CM’s office is nothing short of inspirational. A lawyer by profession with an LLB from Utkal University, she transitioned into politics after years of legal practice and serving as the women’s wing president of the BJP in Odisha. Having faced electoral defeats in 2009, 2014, and 2019, her persistence paid off in 2024, when she finally secured her seat in the state assembly. Her campaign, centred on grassroots issues and development, resonated with voters seeking meaningful change.
V K Pandian
Considered the most trusted aide of Naveen Patnaik, Pandian was the most prominent political figure during the first half of 2024. Being BJD government’s powerful entity, he led the party’s campaign to get Naveen his record sixth term as CM. A former bureaucrat-turned-politician, Pandian announced his departure from active politics following BJD’s defeat in the elections. His influence within the government as well as BJD led to accusations of being an ‘outsider,’ a narrative used by BJP during electioneering. BJP’s landslide victory, which ended BJD’s 24-year reign, was partly attributed to this growing perception. Despite the controversies, Pandian’s legacy as a reform-driven leader will be remembered. While many in BJD held Pandian responsible for the regional party’s defeat in the last elections, Naveen gave him a clean chit stating that he was sincerely and honestly working for the welfare of the people and development of the state.
