Bhubaneswar: In the oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected members of the State Legislative Assembly today, former Chief Minister and BJD Supremo Naveen Patnaik was seen exchanging a brief candid moment with BJP leader Laxman Bag who defeated the former CM from Kantabanji seat in the 2024 Elections.

After taking oath as Hinjili MLA, Patnaik, accompanied by Aul MLA Pratap Keshari Deb, was heading back to his seat when he was greeted by BJP’s Laxman Bagh who won the Kantabanji seat.

When Bagh stood up and introduced himself, Patnaik asked “Oh, you defeated me!” and went on to congratulate Bagh for his feat, with a smile.

After talking to Bagh for a short time, as Naveen walked towards his seat, BJP MLAs, including Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, Deputy CMs KV Singh Deo & Pravati Parida, stood up and paid greeted the former chief minister of Odisha.

Later, Naveen was also seen standing and talking to some other MLAs of the BJP who greeted him. It was learned that the former Chief Minister congratulated them for winning the elections.

One by one MLAs arrived today to take oath in the Assembly, but all eyes were on BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik. Naveen reached the assembly after some MLAs arrived. After reaching the assembly, the BJD MLAs welcomed their party president and took him inside the House.

After 24 years of illustrious rule, the former CM & BJD President Naveen Patnaik entered the Odisha Assembly as a member of the opposition party. Even though Naveen was in the opposition party seat, the respect and love of all members of the ruling party towards him was evident.