Biju Janata Dal becomes the largest party by winning 68 out of 147 seats..!?
Perhaps when naveen patnaik became the chief minister for the first time in the year 2000, odisha was recognized as one of the poorest and sickest states in the country. odisha was known as a state with loss of life and property due to natural calamities like cyclonic storms and death due to starvation. On hearing the names of Kalahandi and Raigarh of odisha, the picture that was formed among the people in different parts of the world was related to the victims of starvation and malnutrition.
Meanwhile n such a situation, naveen Patnaik's party contests the assembly elections for the first time in february 2000. Biju Janata Dal becomes the largest party by winning 68 out of 147 seats. Then Biju Janata Dal forms the government with BJP, which wins 38 seats, and naveen patnaik becomes the chief minister for the first time.
Gradually, during the rule of naveen patnaik, odisha comes out of the phase of starvation and stands at the forefront of the states ensuring food security. Coming out of the category of a state prone to natural disasters, it becomes a role model in disaster management and a state following the policy of zero loss in disasters like storms. Even without being a part of any alliance, naveen patnaik has always stressed on coordination with the government at the Center for the betterment of Odisha.