Although they had lost the assembly polls held in April 2014, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik rehabilitated them for their loyalty and reposed his trust in these leaders.

As per the notification received from the CM’s office, former Minister Pratap Keshari Deb has been appointed as the Chairman of Odisha State Housing Board (OSHB). He had lost the polls in Aul, but was appointed as one of the Spokespersons of the party. Mr. Deb won the confidence of Naveen Patnaik through his strong defence of the government before media.

Another former Minister Sarada Nayak, who had lost the trust of the CM for his links with Pyari Mohan Mohapatra after the May 29 coup, managed to get the party ticket from Rourkela, but lost to BJP candidate Dilip Ray. He convinced the CM to get the appointment as the Chairman of Rourkela Development Authority (RDA).

Former Brajarajnagar MLA Anup Kumar Sai, who jumped into the BJD fold just before the polls by dumping his own party Congress, suffered a shock defeat in the assembly polls. Naveen Patnaik has appointed as the Chairman of Odisha Lift Irrigation Corporation (OLIC).