The ruling Biju Janata Dal on Sunday, 31 March, challenged the political mettle of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and challenged him to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Odisha.
The Union Minister had said that there is a mood for change in the state. Reacting to his statement, BJD Spokesperson Sasmit Patra said that Pradhan, who is the prominent BJP leader in Odisha, should not shy away from fighting elections to prove a point, reported The Indian Express.
Taking a dig at Pradhan, Patra said the Union Minister is shying away from contesting fearing massive defeat in the state.
“He lacks the courage to contest the ensuing elections just as he was fearful of contesting the polls in 2014,” he mocked.
Further, the ruling party’s spokesperson challenged Pradhan to contest elections to prove his worthiness as a leader, adding that the people of Odisha can see through this type of backdoor politics.
With ambitious leaders like Baijayant Panda, Bijay Mohapatra, Damodar Rout, Kharbela Swain and few leaders from within the BJP, like Sambit Patra in the fray, Pradhan has a tough road ahead to climb up the ring.
(With inputs from The Indian Express.)
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