Bhubaneswar: Senior leader and newly elected BJP MP Pradeep Panigrahi on Wednesday said that he would like to meet Naveen Patnaik once with the permission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek answer to a question.
“If Prime Minister permits, I want to meet Naveen Patnaik once,” Panigrahi told media after his victory from Berhampur Lok Sabha seat by a margin of over 1,65,000 votes.
Panigrahi, who had earlier been expelled from BJD after being entangled in a fraud case, said that he requires the PM’s permission as be is a member of BJP and an elected representative.
“Even today, there is a question in my mind. What was the mystery behind expulsion. I want to know the truth,” he said.
Stressing that politics is never based on ego and betrayal, the BJP leader said it is based on principles, simplicity and courtesy and the people of Odisha have proved this by showing faith.
“I want to congratulate Naveen Patnaik for giving people the scope to vote for a change which happened only in the last two phases of polling, be it directly or indirectly. Naveen Patnaik should introspect as to why he faced defeat in the last phase of life,” Panigrahi said.
Asked whether BJD lost due to V K Pandian, he said people now want restoration of their rights and facilities. “We do not believe in revenge politics, but in constructive politics for development of Odisha,” he said.
Maintaining that people of Odisha are disciplined, polite and decent but not afraid of anyone, Panigrahi said they show their strength and power at appropriate time. It has happened and the people have given a chance to BJP, he said
Stating that he was grateful to have got an opportunity to work with Modi, Panigrahi said Odisha has now got freedom from slavery and there will restoration of democracy.
He said the BJD fortress no longer exists as no party can survive if there is no leader, intent and policy.
