Bhubaneswar: BJD and BJP never miss a chance to take each other down; but keeping political differences aside Union Minister Jual Oram had nominated the name of rival party leader Prashant Nanda for Padma Awards-2017.
In a letter to the Home Ministry dated 30.07.2016, Jual had lauded Prashant as an actor, producer and director and stated, "A Padma Award would definitely be a fitting inspiration of his illustrious career (sic)."
Not only for 2017 but Jual had also recommended Prashant’s name for Padma Awards-2016.
"Prashant Nanda is a veteran artist, it does not matter which party he is in. I have recommended his name twice as an artist and I am also trying that he is conferred," said Jual.
There is no political intention behind the recommendation of Prashant's name, added the Union Minister.
While Prashant is presently BJD’s observer for Sundergarh district, Jual is the BJP MP from Sundergarh constituency.
Prashant said that it is Jual’s greatness that he made the recommendations. He even said that Jual had also recommended his name in 2014.
"I know that Jual Oram had recommended my name twice earlier but might not have done it this time. If he has done so, it is his greatness. He must have nominated Prashant Nanda the filmmaker, not the politician," said Prashant.
Jual had not only recommended Prashant for Padma Awards-2017 but also other dignitaries of Odisha including KIIT & KISS founder, Achyuta Samanta.
https://youtu.be/bm9NBUSkqGM