Bhubaneswar: Union Minister and BJP leader Dharmendra Pradhan, who has been the poster boy of the saffron party in the State, today revealed that he will contest the ensuing 2019 general elections from Odisha.
Talking to media persons on the sidelines of the Odisha Literary Festival in Bhubaneswar, Pradhan said, "Definitely I will contest from Odisha in the upcoming polls. However, it is up to the party to decide whether it will be for the Assembly or Lok Sabha."
Commenting on his closed door meetings with BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik recently, Pradhan stated he shares a great rapport with each and everyone. "Ideology might differ, but people in public sphere should have a good rapport with everyone," he added.
However, lambasting the State government, Pradhan said, "Now people of Odisha want a change and no one can stop it from happening. They want to uproot the present corrupt and inefficient BJD-led government."
Pradhan was promoted to the rank of a Cabinet Minister in the Narendra Modi-led Union government and was given the additional charge as Union Skill Development minister during the recent ministry reshuffle in September this year.
He was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Bihar in March 2012.
Pradhan was elected to the 14th Lok Sabha from Deogarh constituency in Odisha and was also a member of the Odisha Assembly from Pallalhara constituency during 2000 and 2004.
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