Bhubaneswar, May 30, 2025 — As Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha’s first Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Chief Minister and a tribal leader from the Santhal community, approaches one year in office on June 12, 2025, his tenure marks a historic shift after 24 years of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) rule under Naveen Patnaik. Majhi’s governance, defined by ambitious initiatives, inclusive policies, and a hands-on approach, has reshaped Odisha’s political landscape, though challenges like tribal migration and administrative delays persist.

Tribal Welfare: A Core Focus

As Odisha’s first tribal Chief Minister, Majhi has prioritized the state’s 22% tribal population, integrating their needs into the development agenda. His administration has emphasized education, health, land rights, and livelihood opportunities for communities like the Santhal, Munda, and Kondh. District consultation committees ensure grassroots input, tailoring development plans to local needs. Majhi’s leadership resonates with indigenous communities, bolstering the BJP’s tribal support, as evidenced by their 2024 election win of 18 out of 33 reserved Scheduled Tribe seats.

Flagship Initiatives Driving Change

Majhi’s government has introduced transformative schemes to address Odisha’s socio-economic challenges:

• Subhadra Yojana: Launched in September 2024, this women-centric scheme provides ₹50,000 over five years (₹10,000 annually) to over 1 crore women aged 21–60, promoting financial independence. Despite praise for its outreach, delays in disbursal in remote areas remain a challenge.
• Farmer Bonuses: The Union government’s increased Minimum Support Price (MSP) for 14 Kharif crops, including paddy, for 2025–26, combined with a state-specific ₹800 per quintal bonus for paddy farmers, has boosted incomes. New cold storage facilities address post-harvest losses, a gap from the BJD era.
• Ayushman Bharat Yojana: Unlike the previous BJD government, Majhi’s administration rolled out the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, offering ₹5 lakh per family annually for healthcare. Over 70 lakh families are enrolled, with efforts to integrate it with the state’s Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana for broader rural and tribal coverage.
• Infrastructure: To combat urban flooding in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, Majhi ordered drain cleaning by June 20, 2025. Plans for sustainable industrial growth in mining, tourism, and education are also underway.

Governance Style: The People’s Chief Minister

Majhi’s simplicity and accessibility set him apart. Known as the “people’s Chief Minister,” he makes unannounced visits to Anganwadi centers, hospitals, and schools, contrasting with the high-security entourages of past leaders. His critique of the BJD’s outsourced administration and defunct Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) has spurred reforms to enhance accountability. A poignant example of his values came on June 11, 2024, when, despite being a Chief Minister front-runner, Majhi spent over two hours consoling his deceased personal assistant’s family.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite achievements, Majhi’s administration faces hurdles:

• Tribal Issues: High migration and malnutrition among tribal children persist, with Subhadra Yojana and Ayushman Bharat yet to fully address these challenges.
• Administrative Delays: Vacant corporation chairperson posts have slowed decision-making, drawing criticism for reduced efficiency.
• Bureaucratic Continuity: The lack of a senior IAS officer reshuffle raises concerns about aligning the bureaucracy with the BJP’s vision.
• Industrial Balance: Mining-driven industrialization risks displacing vulnerable populations, a sensitive issue given Majhi’s past advocacy against excessive mining.
• Controversies: Majhi’s 2023 Assembly suspension for allegedly throwing dal at the Speaker’s podium (which he denies) and his RSS ties, including past support for controversial figures, remain points of contention.

Political Milestones and Public Perception

Majhi’s first year has earned praise, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi commending his governance during a recent visit. The BJP’s 2024 electoral success—78 of 147 Assembly seats and 20 of 21 Lok Sabha seats—underscores Majhi’s role in ending BJD dominance. His cabinet, sworn in on June 12, 2024, includes 11 Cabinet Ministers and five Ministers of State, with representation from tribal and Scheduled Caste communities. In March 2025, Majhi moved into the renovated Chief Minister’s residence, symbolizing a return to official quarters after Patnaik’s 24-year use of his personal home.

The BJP’s planned three-day celebration from June 11 to 13, 2025, will highlight achievements like Subhadra Yojana and farmer bonuses, reinforcing Majhi’s rising popularity. His ability to articulate growth metrics counters perceptions of political inexperience.

Looking Ahead

Mohan Charan Majhi’s first year as Chief Minister has laid a foundation for inclusive growth, leveraging the BJP’s mandate to drive Odisha’s progress. While transformative initiatives and a people-centric approach have earned him acclaim, addressing tribal migration, malnutrition, and administrative delays will be critical to sustaining momentum. As Odisha prepares to celebrate his milestone, Majhi’s leadership positions him as a pivotal figure in the state’s evolving political narrative.