BHUBANESWAR: A social media post by Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi’s daughter, Archita Sachin Rahar, reportedly welcoming the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, has triggered discontent among BJP workers in Odisha.Archita shared an Instagram story featuring Pradhan’s photograph against the backdrop of the national flag with the caption, “Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid massive student protests over NEET leak fiasco.”
The social media post of Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi’s daughter Archita Sachin Rahar welcomed Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation
While the post drew criticism from within the party, Sarangi later expressed support for the senior BJP leader following his resignation.Defending Archita’s right to express her views, the MP’s office assistant, Dhaneswar Barik, said, “Everyone has the right to express their views.
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Her daughter, who is from Gen Z, said she stands by her statement. She has the right to speak her mind.”When asked whether the controversy could create political trouble for the Bhubaneswar MP, Barik said, “Only time will tell.”Archita was unavailable for comment.According to sources, the MP requested her daughter to remove the Instagram post after receiving a call from Pradhan’s office. However, Rahar refused to delete it.In another social media post, Archita wrote, “Also, to DP’s PA who is sure to text my mother asking me to delete my previous story (it has happened before) — Don’t bother. I won’t delete. Jai Jagannath! Jai Hind.”Later on Saturday night, Sarangi publicly backed Pradhan through a post on X, saying, “Sri @dpradhanbjp ji has tendered his resignation today. Resigning after owning moral responsibility calls for a lot of courage. I stand by him in this very difficult time. I wish for him the best for the days to come. May Lord Jagannath shower HIS Blessings upon him.”The contrasting positions taken by the MP and her daughter prompted criticism from several BJP leaders in Odisha.Jagannath Pradhan, the BJP’s candidate who lost the 2024 Bhubaneswar Central Assembly election, said, “Pradhan is son of the soil. His resignation has hurt us. Odias have welcomed the daughter of Bihar (Aparajita) and made her MP twice.”He further said, “Sarangi should have control over her family members. She should tender an apology to Odisha for her daughter making adverse remarks against Pradhan. As an educated person, the MP’s daughter should not make such statements against Pradhan, who had immense contributions to Odisha and India.”Another senior BJP leader also criticised Rahar’s remarks, saying, “The BJP is a family and all the members should stand by the other when he or she is in trouble. Sarangi’s daughter going against a party leader is not acceptable in a disciplined party like the BJP.”The controversy has since generated widespread discussion across social media platforms.
