The political landscape of Odisha witnessed a seismic shift in the 2024 Assembly elections as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) confronted its first electoral setback since its inception in 1997. For over two decades, the party, under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, maintained an aura of invincibility, riding on the popularity garnered from Biju Patnaik’s…
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has scripted history in Odisha, poised to form the government single-handedly for the first time. · The saffron surge saw the BJP capturing a remarkable 78 Assembly seats alongside a near-sweep in the Lok Sabha elections with 20 out of 21 seats secured. · A defining moment unfolded in Kantabanji as BJP’s…
Voters in Odisha used their franchise to elect the 147-member strong state Assembly and results are slated for declaration on June 4. · Notable political entities, including the ruling BJD, the resurgent BJP, and the Congress, have engaged in spirited campaigns, vying for the electorate’s mandate. · Key constituencies such as Hinjili, Kantabanji, Digapahandi, and Rourkela witnessed…
The scorching heatwave in Odisha has taken a severe toll on human lives, with the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) confirming 26 deaths attributed to sunstroke. · Out of the 42 reported sunstroke deaths on May 30, six have been officially confirmed, while another six were found to be caused by factors unrelated to sunstroke. · The cumulative…
The fourth and final phase of Assembly and Parliamentary elections in Odisha faced disruptions as Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) malfunctioned at several polling stations. · By 9 AM, a reported turnout of 7.69 percent was recorded, with Jagatsinghpur reporting the highest voter participation at 8.54%, followed by Balasore (7.46%). · A total of over 99.61 lakh voters,…
Renowned puppeteer Padma Shri Maguni Charan Kuanr, a stalwart in the world of traditional arts, bid farewell to the mortal realm after battling a prolonged illness at the age of 88. The maestro, hailing from Keonjhar, Odisha, breathed his last in the comfort of his home, leaving behind a legacy etched in the annals of…
The scorching heatwave gripping Sundargarh district has claimed two more lives at Rourkela Government Hospital, pushing the death toll due to suspected heatstroke to 16. · Across the District, Rourkela bears the brunt of the heatwave crisis, accounting for 10 of the reported deaths, while Jharsuguda and Sundargarh have recorded 2 and 4 deaths respectively. · Additional…
The leaders of the state BJP unit staged a dharna in front of the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), demanding the immediate arrest of BJD leaders V K Pandian and Pranab Prakash Das. · The agitation was spurred by allegations implicating the BJD figures in the unauthorized broadcast of exit polls by a local…
At least three people died and over 30 devotees were critically injured in a cracker explosion during the ‘Chapa Khela’ at Narendra Pond, during Chandan Yatra festivities in Puri. · The Chandan Yatra, a significant festival in Puri dedicated to Lord Jagannath, draws devotees from far and wide to participate in various rituals and ceremonies. · The…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks about Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s health have sparked a contentious exchange between the two political heavyweights. · Addressing a gathering in Baripada, Mayurbhanj district, PM Modi remarked on the apparent decline in CM Patnaik’s health over the past year. · PM Modi’s pledge to launch an inquiry into CM Patnaik’s health, if…
