Early Elections In Odisha! Dharmendra’s Remark Triggers Speculations

Bhubaneswar: Sparking speculations in political circles, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday said he has heard about the possibility of early elections in Odisha.

“I have heard that next elections may be held early in Odisha,” the Union Education Minister told reporters while responding to questions on the sidelines of an event in Bhubaneswar.

To a query whether the result of Padampur by-election will have any impact on the Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly polls due in 2024, the senior BJP leader said  there are many months left for the next elections and a lot of deveopments may take place by then.

A number of issues will will crop up ahead of the next elections and political parties will fight the electoral battles with their own agenda in a democratic set up, he said.

While BJP was unable to achieve is goal in Padampur Assembly bypoll, the party accepts the mandate, Dharmendra said, adding it is quite natural for the winner to boast and remain upbeat.

However, they should keep it in mind that the BJP was able to get over 78,000 votes in the by-electin and people from different sections including women have supported the party, he said.

It may be noted here that BJP candidate and former MLA Pradip Purohit was trounced by BJD’s Barsha Singh Bariha by more than 42,000 votes in Padampur bypoll held on December 5.

Stating that BJP had fought the elections in 2019 with its own strategy, the Union Minister said the saffron party has emerged as the main opposition party in Odisha.

Claiming that the people of Odisha have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment towards the development of the state, Dharmendra said BJP has been following its own policies aimed at the progress of the state and welfare of its people.

BJP, he said, is fully aware of its responsibilities towards the state and its people and it will discharge its duty sincerely.