Dharmendra’s Cabinet induction: BJD says will watch how Odisha benefits

Bhubaneswar: Only time will tell how far Odisha will be benefited from Dharmendra Pradhan's promotion, remarked BJD leaders after the Union Minister was elevated to Cabinet rank on Sunday.

"It remains to be seen if he will work towards Odisha's development. We expect that he will work for the State and for benefit of Odia people," said BJD spokesperson Prashant Nanda.

Meanwhile, state BJP leaders have congratulated Pradhan on the occasion. Followers were also seen playing drums and dancing outside the BJP office in the city to celebrate Pradhan’s Cabinet induction.

In a major rejig of his team by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, four junior ministers including Pradhan were elevated to the cabinet rank and nine fresh faces inducted as Ministers of State. Among the other ministers promoted to cabinet are Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal.