Naveen Patnaik to meet governor today over government formation

BHUBANESWAR: Naveen Patnaik was unanimously elected the BJD legislature party leader here on Sunday, paving the way for his holding the chief minister`s reins for the fourth consecutive term. He is likely to take the oath of office and secrecy on May 21, the same date on which he had started his third innings five years ago.

Party sources said Naveen would call on governor S C Jamir at Raj Bhavan on Monday and stake claim to form the government. "We will all work together with renewed effort for the development of Odisha and its people," Naveen told media persons soon after he was chosen as BJDLP chief at the first meeting the party`s newly elected MLAs at the party headquarters here. He also thanked the party MLAs for electing him as their leader.

V Sugnana Kumari Deo, who became an MLA for the 10th time, proposed Naveen`s candidature for the post and BJD vice-president Damodar Rout seconded it. The election was a mere ritual as Naveen was BJD`s undisputed leader, something that was reflected on stage: He was the only person on it.

Naveen, who spearheaded BJD to an overwhelming win in the assembly polls by winning 117 of the 147 seats, has been the chief minister since March 5 2000.

The BJD`s stupendous electoral show gives Naveen a free hand to pick his team. Though hectic lobbying is on within the regional party for ministerial berths and other plum posts, no leader is openly expressing a claim for it.