PM Modi meets Odisha BJP MPs to discuss regional development

Bhubaneswar, Aug 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday met 21 BJP MPs from Odisha in his parliamentary chamber to address regional concerns and development plans. During the meeting, the PM inquired about the MPs' terms, introduced himself, and discussed budget allocations for their constituencies, according to the news agency ANI.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP made notable strides, winning 20 out of 21 seats from Odisha, a substantial increase from their 2019 performance. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha with support from the BJD in February, is the sole MP representing Odisha in the Upper House.

Additionally, the BJP established its first government in Odisha with Mohan Majhi as the chief minister, securing 78 of the 147 Assembly seats. This marked the end of the 24-year rule of Naveen Patnaik's BJD in the state. The BJD, which failed to win any Lok Sabha seats, saw its Assembly representation decrease from 112 seats in 2019 to just 51.