New Delhi: In a heartwarming moment of mutual respect, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik greeted Laxman Bag, the newly elected BJP MLA who defeated him in the Kantabanji seat in the recent Odisha Assembly election. While walking through the House after taking his oath as an Assembly member, Patnaik approached him. The BJP MLA, acknowledging the senior leader, stood up and greeted Patnaik with folded hands, asking, How are you Patnaik responded with a smile, saying, Oh, you defeated me.Congratulatory exchangeAccompanied by Aul MLA and former Odisha minister Pratap Keshari Deb, Patnaik congratulated Bag on his electoral victory. After this exchange, Patnaik was greeted by his successor, Mohan Charan Majhi, and other MLAs, including Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida. The Assembly members, recognizing Patnaiks long-standing leadership, rose from their seats to greet him. Patnaik had been an undisputed leader in the Assembly for 24 years.Watch the video here:Naveen Patnaik meets Laxman Bag, MLA & minister from Kantabanji and says, Oh, you defeated me. You cant hate Naveen Patnaik. Man defies political enemy code. pic.twitter.com/ILRv6BjFEl— Immanuel Kant (Eastern Exile) (@KantInEast) June 18, 2024Assembly election resultsIn the recent Assembly election, Patnaik contested from both Kantabanji and his traditional seat of Hinjili in Ganjam district. While he lost the Kantabanji seat by over 16,000 votes to Bag, he managed to secure a narrow victory in Hinjili by a margin of 4,636 votes. Bag secured 90,876 votes against Patnaiks 74,532, marking a big win for the BJP.The BJP secured a majority in the Odisha Assembly by winning 78 seats, while the BJD won 51, Congress 14, CPIM 1, and Independents 3. The 147-member Assembly saw 82 first-time MLAs taking their oaths. Majhi is the leader of the House, and Patnaik is expected to be unanimously elected as the Leader of the Opposition.Swearing-in ceremonyThe newly elected members of the 17th Legislative Assembly of Odisha were sworn in on Tuesday amid tight security. Governor Raghuvar Das called a three-day session to administer the oath to the new members. Senior Biju Janata Dal leader and Pro tem Speaker Ranendra Pratap Swain administered the oaths. The election of the new Speaker of the Assembly is scheduled for June 20.
