Suryakant Jena

Bhubaneswar: In a major revelation, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today said that an Odia and that too from the BJD was offered the post of deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha, however the ruling party in the State declined the offer.

"Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson post was offered to BJD, why they declined is better known to them," Pradhan said.

Replying to a query on BJD’s support to BJP in several cases, Pradhan said, the truth of the matter is that BJD did not support BJP during the no-confidence motion recently, but staged a walkout due to some compulsion.

The Union Minister further added that the BJD did not support during the Vice-Presidential elections, however after the BJP sought help, the BJD supported during the Presidential elections.

On the other hand, the BJD said that the Union minister should first clarify about the leader who was offered the deputy chairman post.

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“We came to know from the media that Prasanna Acharya’s name is doing rounds for the coveted post, but have no idea when BJP offered him the post,” Rajya Sabha member and BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said.

Following the revelation by Pradhan, former MP Baijayant Panda tweeted, "Party standing for Odia pride turned down offer to put an Odia in a Constitutional post? Would be unthinkable in any other regional party. Then voted for governing coalition's candidate! Logical if it secured concessions. Were there any? (sic)"

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