Senior BJP leader Braj Mohan Ram from Jharkhand sworn in as Odisha’s 28th governor

Senior BJP leader Braj Mohan Ram of Jharkhand was sworn in as Odisha’s 28th governor on Sunday.

Orissa High Court chief justice Harish Tondon administered the oath of office and secrecy to Ram at Abhishek Hall in Lok Bhavan. Ram, a Dalit leader, succeeded Hari Babu Kambhampati as governor.

Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, cabinet ministers, MPs and other dignitaries were present at the oath-taking ceremony. Around 300 guests from Jharkhand attended the ceremony.

Ram had already courted controversy for his remark that he would “work to strengthen the BJP” after assuming office.

Following widespread criticism, he made a U-turn and clarified that he would work in coordination with all political parties and not for any one party in particular. “No, I did not say this. I said that I will work in coordination with everyone... The party I belong to is my capital. I will always have an affinity and love for that party. But I will not work for any particular party. Hum sabke hain, sab hamare hain,” Ram said on Thursday in Ranchi before coming to Odisha.

Congratulating the new governor, former chief minister Naveen Patnaik wrote on social media: “Wish, under your leadership, the august office reaffirms the constitutional values in true democratic spirit. Wish him a fruitful tenure ahead.”