Naveen Patnaik Gone, Now, No Home For Chief Minister
As the people’s mandate opted to change the Naveen Patnaik government, which ruled Odisha for 24+ years since 2000, the newly-elected BJP government has to find an official residence for its chief minister. As the party is yet to announce a name for the position, there is no official home for the upcoming chief minister as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader has been working from his home for the last 24 years.
Naveen Patnaik’s party suffered a massive defeat after the BJP secured 74 of the total 140 seats in the state assembly election held alongside the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The BJD’s tally was reduced to 51 while Congress secured 14. The former chief minister Biju Patnaik’s son, Naveen Patnaik, has been working from his personal residence, a palatial mansion built by his father. All the official and administrative work has been carried out from his home for the past two decades.
With no home left for the upcoming chief minister, the administration has reportedly started searching for a proper location and residence, as the announcement of the chief minister’s name is expected soon. According a report by NDTV, several vacant quarters have been considered for the chief minister’s home.
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The transition to the new abode will not happen soon as necessary renovations and installation of facilities will required further in the existing complex. The state administration is currently planning to temporarily accommodate the new chief minister in the State Guest House, the media house reported, citing a senior government official.
Notably, BJD leader’s 24-year tenure marks Naveen Patnaik just one month short of becoming the longest-serving chief minister in India. Sikkim Democratic Front’s Pawan Kumar Chamling had created history by being the longest serving chief minister in 2019, holding on power for 24 years and 165 days since he took office in 1994. However, Naveen Patnaik will be the second longest-serving chief minister in India.
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Before Naveen Patnaik, chief ministers including Hemananda Biswal and Janaki Ballabh Patnaik, had worked from a structure near Bhubaneswar Club on a road connecting Capital Hospital with AG Square. The outgoing chief minister’s residence named ‘Anand Bhavan’ is in Cuttack. The bungalow has been managed by a caretaker.
However, along with the assembly poll debacle, the BJD could not win single seat in the Lok Sabha elections. The party lost 12 sitting MPs while the BJP swept the state, bagging 20 out 21 seats. The Congress won the remaining one seat.
