Ending his 24-year tenure in Odisha, BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik tendered his resignation as the chief minister on Wednesday following his party's defeat in the state assembly elections. Patnaik submitted his resignation letter to Governor Raghubar Das at the Raj Bhavan, according to sources.
Though a number of BJD leaders had gathered at Patnaik's residence, he came alone to the governor's house to tender his resignation. After submitting his resignation letter, the BJD supremo merely waved at the waiting journalists before departing from the premises.
The BJP surged to power in Odisha by clinching 78 out of the 147 assembly seats, while the BJD secured 51 seats. The Congress secured victory in 14 constituencies, while the CPI (M) secured one seat. Additionally, three Independent candidates emerged victorious. These results were announced on Tuesday. Patnaik had for the first time taken oath as the chief minister of Odisha on March 5, 2000.