The recent tensions between the BJP and BJD, prominent during the Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly elections, seemed to ease as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik shared a cordial moment at Mohan Majhi's swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday. A video captured the two leaders conversing and shaking hands before PM Modi moved on to greet Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a key BJP figure in Odisha.

The BJP and BJD had parted ways before the simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, leading to intense political rivalry. Despite their previous cooperative relationship, both parties launched vigorous attacks on each other. During the campaign, PM Modi challenged Patnaik to name Odisha’s districts and their headquarters without notes, while Patnaik countered by criticizing Modi’s unmet promises and the exclusion of Odisha’s heroes from the Bharat Ratna honors.

PM Modi had predicted a BJP victory, declaring that a BJP chief minister would be sworn in on June 10. This prediction came true as Mohan Majhi became the first BJP chief minister in Odisha, with the party winning 78 out of 147 Assembly seats and 20 out of 21 Lok Sabha constituencies, ending Patnaik’s 24-year tenure and reducing the BJD's dominance.