Odisha: BJD’s Naveen Patnaik invites Narendra Modi to his swearing-in ceremony

Patnaik will take oath as the chief minister for fifth time in a row at 10.30 am on Wednesday.

Modi had also predicted that Patnaik's government will be out of power after the May 23 poll result announcement. In his reply, Patnaik had said, "BJD has already secured majority in the Assembly by the end of the third-phase of polling. I humbly invite him (Modi) to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new BJD government." (Photo FILE / PIB / AFP)

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his swearing-in ceremony scheduled to be held here on Wednesday. In the state, BJD bagged 112 seats in the 147-member Assembly followed by BJP that won 23 seats and Congress with nine seats. An independent and CPI(M) won one seat each. BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said that a formal invitation has been sent to the Prime Minister's Office. Besides, leaders of political parties in the state and all elected MPs and MLAs have been invited to the swearing-in ceremony. Invitations have also been sent to leaders of different political parties in the state. However, the invite to the prime minister is significant as Patnaik had during election campaign given an open invitation to Modi. Patnaik will take oath as the chief minister for fifth time in a row at 10.30 am on Wednesday. READ: First session of 17th Lok Sabha likely from June 6-15 Earlier, Patnaik at an election meeting at Basta under Balasore Lok Sabha constituency had invited Modi to his swearing-in, after Modi in a public meeting announced that he would again visit Odisha to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the next BJP government in the state. Modi had also predicted that Patnaik's government will be out of power after the May 23 poll result announcement. In his reply, Patnaik had said, "BJD has already secured majority in the Assembly by the end of the third-phase of polling. I humbly invite him (Modi) to attend the oath-taking ceremony of the new BJD government." This time, Patnaik will take oath at the exhibition ground here. In earlier four occasions, he had taken oath at Raj Bhavan. Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal will administer oath of office to Patnaik and his council of ministers. Patnaik had on May 24 tendered resignation of the council of ministers headed by him. He had on Sunday met the governor and staked claim for government formation. After being satisfied that the BJD commands a majority in Odisha Legislative Assembly, the governor extended an invitation to the party chief to form the new government, an official communication said. (AGENCY INPUTS) WATCH: Meet 25-Year-Old Chandrani Murmu, The Youngest Ever Lok Sabha MP