Naveen Patnaik resigns as Odisha CM

Marking the end of his 24-year-rule in Odisha, BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday resigned from the post of the chief minister after the defeat of his party in the assembly elections in the state.Patnaik handed over his resignation letter to Governor Raghubar Das at the Raj Bhavan in Bhubneshwar.Though a number of BJD leaders had gathered at Patnaik's residence, he came alone to the governor's house to tender his resignation.Patnaik is the longest serving chief minister of Odisha who served for five consecutive terms spreading over 24 years and three months. He first took the oath of chief minister of Odisha on 5th of March in 2000. 
Meanwhile, in Odisha, political activities have gained momentum following the the victory of BJP in the state Assembly elections where the party won 78 of the 147 seats. The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) faced a shocking defeat securing 51 seats while the Congress won 14 seats and four went to others.The state BJP leaders are meeting in Bhubaneswar to discuss formation of the state government and also on the name of first BJP Chief ministerial candidate.The BJP might surprise with a different chief minister candidate.
The Biju Janata Dal faced a shocking defeat at the hands of BJP which won 78 of the 147 seats in Odisha Assembly comfortably surpassing the magic number of 74. The BJD was able to secure 51 Assembly seats while the Congress won 14 seats with four seats going to others.