The BJP’s tribal face of Odisha has been in office for a little more than a year. But his tenure has already left an indelible mark, breaking the 24-year stranglehold of Naveen Patnaik’s BJD in this resource-rich state.

Despite two electoral setbacks in 2009 and 2014, the 52-year-old Mohan Charan Majhi​ did not back down. He strove for administrative improvements in Keonjhar, which boasts 25% of India’s iron ore deposits but is also home to the highest number of stunted and underweight children and anaemic pregnant women in the State. He wrote 3,007 letters to Central, State and district authorities seeking action on the problems.

A man of modest means, Majhi started his political journey in 1997 as sarpanch of Raikala panchayat in the mineral-rich district of Keonjhar. His humble upbringing, grounded values and doggedness to get work done have been defining traits of his career.

Despite being picked for the top job, Mohan Charan Majhi​ has maintained a low profile and remained accessible to the people. On his first visit as the chief minister to his home constituency, he spent over two hours near a mortuary comforting the family of his associate who had died in a road accident. This approach has earned him the trust of both voters and his cabinet colleagues. His grievance redressal camps across districts have further bridged the gap between the administration and the people. The strong opposition presence in the Vidhan Sabha and on the political scene has kept him on his toes but he has managed to keep politics at bay while focusing on governance.