Search Begins for New Chief Minister and Official Residence in Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Bhubaneswar, 11th June 2024: In Bhubaneswar, Odisha, the search is underway not only for the next Chief Minister but also for a new official residence. For the past 24 years, outgoing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik conducted official duties from his residence, Naveen Niwas, a grand mansion constructed by his father and former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik, which effectively served as the Chief Minister’s residence.
Upon assuming office in 2000, Patnaik chose to operate from his abode rather than a government-provided residence, setting a unique precedent in the state’s political landscape. However, following the recent state elections, where Patnaik’s party lost to the BJP, the search for a new Chief Minister and a corresponding official residence has gained momentum.
As the BJP prepares to announce the new Chief Minister, the state administration has intensified efforts to identify a suitable official residence. Several vacant quarters, including the current Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell, are being considered. Nevertheless, the transition will not be immediate; once a location is chosen, it will undergo renovations and installation of necessary facilities.
In the interim, plans are underway to prepare a suite in the State Guest House to serve as temporary accommodation for the incoming Chief Minister.
Historically, former chief ministers such as Hemananda Biswal and Janaki Ballabh Patnaik operated from a single-storeyed building near Bhubaneswar Club, while subsequent administrations utilized a two-storeyed building, now housing the Chief Minister’s Grievance Cell. The original bungalow of the Patnaik family, Anand Bhavan, situated in Cuttack, now serves as a museum, managed by a caretaker for over five decades.
The recent Odisha elections marked the end of Patnaik’s long tenure, with the BJP securing a significant victory, winning 78 seats in the 147-member assembly. The BJP’s success marked a notable shift from the previous dominance of Patnaik’s party, the BJD. Following the electoral outcome, the new BJP government is scheduled to be sworn in tomorrow at 5 pm, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi slated to attend the ceremony at Janata Maidan.
