Odisha Bypoll: Dharmendra Challenges Naveen On District Status To Padampur

Bhubaneswsar: Taking a dig at Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday sought to know whether he will hold a Cabinet meeting, approve new district status to bypoll-bound Padmapur and show it to the people during his visit on Friday.

Addressing a series of election meetings at Jharbandh, Barihapali, Jamla and Melchamunda, the senior BJP leader said that the according to media reports, Chief Minister is reportedly visiting Padmapur on Friday to campaign for BJD candidate.

Dharmendra sought to know from the Chief Minister as to whether he will to come to Padampur with notification according district status to Padampur sub-division.

The senior BJP leader has been campaigning for party candidate Pradip Purohit for the last three days.

Mounting a scathing attack on Naveen over protest by teachers from across the state at Bhubaneswar, the Union Minister said the teacher who are building the future of the school children are being given mental agony as they are denied permanent employment.

Stating that new policies are being framed to differentiate between senior and junior teachers, the BJP leader alleged that a conspiracy is being hatched to keep Odisha in darkness.

Accusing that the ruling BJD has neglected Padampur for the last 22 years, Dharmendra said voters in the Assembly constituency will give a befitting reply to Biju Janata Dal in the December 5 by-election.