Bhubaneswar, April 19: Leader of the Opposition and former Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, has been unanimously elected as the President of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for the ninth consecutive term. With no other nominations filed for the post, his re-election was uncontested.
The BJD officially announced the result at Shankh Bhawan on Saturday.
Expressing gratitude after the declaration, Naveen Patnaik said, "I thank everyone for giving me the opportunity once again to serve the people. I am deeply grateful for your love and support."
On the occasion, he paid homage to his father, the late Biju Patnaik, acknowledging his enduring influence on the party. "I offer my heartfelt tribute to our beloved leader, Biju Patnaik, on this special day. His vision continues to guide us forward," he stated.
According to reports, Naveen Patnaik filed his nomination papers on April 17, 2025, coinciding with the 28th death anniversary of his father, Biju Patnaik—the iconic leader after whom the Biju Janata Dal is named.
Significantly, Patnaik has been leading the BJD since its formation in 1997. For more than two decades, he also served as the Chief Minister of Odisha, becoming one of the longest-serving leaders in the state’s history.
