CM Majhi pays floral tribute to Nabakrushna Choudhury on death anniversary
Synopsis
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi on 24 June 2026 garlanded the statue of former Odisha CM Nabakrushna Choudhury at the Legislative Assembly premises in Bhubaneswar on his death anniversary, honouring the freedom fighter and agrarian reformer who led the state from 1950 to 1956.
Key Takeaways
CM Mohan Majhi paid floral tribute to former CM Nabakrushna Choudhury on his death anniversary on 24 June 2026 .
The tribute was offered at Choudhury's statue on the Odisha Legislative Assembly premises in Bhubaneswar .
Nabakrushna Choudhury served as Odisha's Chief Minister from 1950 to 1956 and was a noted freedom fighter.
His tenure is associated with early post-independence agrarian reforms , including zamindari abolition measures.
The tribute reflects a cross-party tradition in Indian states of honouring former chief ministers on their death anniversaries.
The Chief Minister's Office of Odisha announced on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi paid floral tribute to former Chief Minister Nabakrushna Choudhury on his death anniversary, garlanding the latter's statue at the Odisha Legislative Assembly premises in Bhubaneswar.
Context
The CMO's post in Odia reads: 'Manyabar Mukhyamantri Shri Mohan Majhi purvatana Mukhyamantri swargata Nabakrushna Choudhurinka Shraddha Dibasa abasaare Bidhanasabha pranganare thibaa tankaa pratimurtire pushpamalya arpana kari shraddhanjali janaaichanti' — translated: 'Honourable Chief Minister Shri Mohan Majhi, on the occasion of the death anniversary of former Chief Minister the late Nabakrushna Choudhury, offered a floral garland at his statue on the Legislative Assembly premises and paid his respects.'
The tribute was accompanied by two photographs released by the CMO showing CM Majhi placing a garland at the statue on the assembly grounds.
Policy Backdrop
Nabakrushna Choudhury served as Chief Minister of Odisha from 1950 to 1956, making him one of the state's earliest post-independence leaders. A freedom fighter and senior Congress leader, he is remembered for initiating agrarian reforms, including zamindari abolition measures that reshaped land ownership patterns in the state during the early years of the republic.
His tenure coincided with a formative period for Odisha's administrative and legislative institutions, and his legacy remains a reference point in state political discourse across party lines.
Stakeholders and Impact
The tribute was offered by CM Majhi, a BJP leader who assumed office in June 2024, underscoring the cross-party nature of such commemorations. Indian state governments routinely mark death anniversaries of former chief ministers with floral tributes at assembly premises or memorials, a practice observed to acknowledge historical contributions to governance and state-building.
Odisha citizens and political leaders across the spectrum regard Choudhury as a foundational figure in the state's democratic history, and annual observances of his death anniversary are a fixture in the state's official calendar.
What's Next
Similar commemorations are expected on the death anniversaries of other former chief ministers and prominent leaders in the months ahead. Observers will also watch whether current budget discussions or land-related policy debates in the Odisha Legislative Assembly draw on the legacy of Choudhury-era reforms, particularly as the state government navigates agrarian and land administration issues.
Point of View
A Congress-era leader, signals the BJP-led Odisha government's intent to position itself as a custodian of the state's full political heritage — a common but deliberate strategy for governments seeking to broaden their historical legitimacy. Choudhury's association with land reform gives the gesture added resonance at a time when agrarian issues remain politically sensitive in Odisha. Such cross-party commemorations also serve to reinforce institutional continuity and the dignity of the office of Chief Minister. The regularity of these observances across Indian states reflects how death anniversaries function as low-cost, high-visibility moments of statecraft.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Nabakrushna Choudhury?
Nabakrushna Choudhury was a freedom fighter and Congress leader who served as Chief Minister of Odisha from 1950 to 1956. He is remembered for initiating agrarian reforms, including zamindari abolition, in the early post-independence period.
Why did CM Mohan Majhi pay tribute to Nabakrushna Choudhury?
CM Mohan Majhi paid tribute on the occasion of Nabakrushna Choudhury's death anniversary, garlanding his statue at the Odisha Legislative Assembly premises in Bhubaneswar on 24 June 2026.
Where is Nabakrushna Choudhury's statue located?
The statue of Nabakrushna Choudhury is located on the premises of the Odisha Legislative Assembly in Bhubaneswar, where official tributes are paid on his death anniversary.
What is Nabakrushna Choudhury known for in Odisha politics?
Nabakrushna Choudhury is known as one of Odisha's earliest post-independence chief ministers and a key figure in agrarian reform, particularly zamindari abolition measures introduced during his tenure from 1950 to 1956.
Who is the current Chief Minister of Odisha?
Mohan Charan Majhi of the BJP is the current Chief Minister of Odisha, having assumed office in June 2024.
