Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on July 22 achieved a remarkable milestone, equaling the record set by former West Bengal CM Jyoti Basu as the second longest serving Chief Minister in India.
- Mr. Patnaik has held the position for 23 years and 138 days.
- Mr. Patnaik became the second longest serving CM of India on 23 July.
- The title of the longest serving Chief Minister, however, belongs to Pawan Kumar Chamling, the former Chief Minister of Sikkim, who held the position for 24 years and 166 days.
- Pawan Kumar Chamling has served five consecutive terms as Chief Minister of Sikkim completing a total of more than 24 years of tenure; the highest so far.
- Gegong Apang (22 years), Lal Thanhawla (22 years), Virbhadra Singh (21 years), Manik Sarkar (19 years) are other chief ministers who served more than 18 years.
