Creating a new high in the State's electoral politics in the recent polls, BJD chief Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday set a milestone by becoming the Chief Minister for the fourth consecutive time. Patnaik was administered oath of office and secrecy by Governor SC Jamir at a swearing-in ceremony held in the premises of the Raj Bhavan here.
Besides Patnaik, 21 Ministers, including 11 of Cabinet rank, were also sworn in. later in the afternoon, the Chief Minister distributed portfolios among his Council of Ministers.Patnaik, in his new team, retained nine members of the outgoing Council of Ministers. Nine new faces figured in the new Ministry while the rest three had served the earlier Ministry in various capacities.
The Cabinet Ministers include former Speaker Pradeep Kumar Amat, Bikram Keshari Arukha , Usha Devi , Badri Narayan Patra, Bijayashree Routray, Debi Prasad Mishra, Damodar Rout, Jogendra Behera, lal Bihari Himirika, Pradeep Maharathi and Puspendar Singh Deo.