Union Minister and senior BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan is likely to contest in the 2024 elections. Such speculation has sparked off a debate in Odisha following certain national media reports. As per the reports, Pradhan has already requested the party to contest the upcoming 2024 polls.
However, there is no clarity on whether Pradhan will fight the electoral battle for Lok Sabha or Assembly segment in the upcoming crucial 2024 elections.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pradhan currently represents Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha as Member of Parliament. Earlier, he was elected to the Upper House from Bihar. Pradhan was last elected to Lok Sabha from Deogarh in 2004.
Apart from holding key positions in the BJP government, Pradhan has been elected as the member of the Rajya Sabha for two terms each from Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, respectively.
Meanwhile, Odisha BJP president Samir Mohanty said that it will be better for the state unit if Pradhan contests the poll from Odisha.
“Dharmendra Pradhan is not only a leader of the BJP, rather he has been working for the interest of Odisha for the last 9 years. We welcome such decision and it will immensely benefit the party in Odisha and will be in the interest of the state,” said Mohanty.
(Reported by Bibartan Panda)