Bhubaneswar: On his first visit to Odisha after stepping down as Union education minister, Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan received a rousing welcome from supporters at Bhubaneswar airport on Tuesday, with the turnout surpassing the receptions he typically received during his tenure in the Union cabinet.Pradhan arrived in the state capital to attend an event marking the release of a book on slain VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, an event which was scheduled before his resignation.A large contingent of BJP functionaries and workers, including six ministers, over 20 MLAs, many former MLAs and several office-bearers, gathered at the airport to greet the MP. Supporters held placards describing him as a hero, with banners reading, “Our Leader, Our Hero” and “I Stand With Dharmendra Pradhan.”Amid chants of “Dharmendra bhai swagatam” and “Bharat Mata ki jai,” Pradhan, dressed in a white kurta-pyjama, accepted bouquets and uttariyas from party workers.Among those present at Biju Patnaik International Airport were school and mass education minister Nityananda Gond, higher education minister Suryabanshi Suraj, panchayati raj minister Rabi Narayan Naik, industries minister Sampad Chandra Swain, health minister Mukesh Mahaling and fisheries and animal resources development minister Gokulananda Mallik. Ekamra-Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh and legislators from several districts also turned up to welcome the MP, widely credited with spearheading the party’s rapid growth in Odisha since 2014. Former state BJP president Samir Mohanty was also present.Stating that Pradhan was accorded a grand welcome by thousands of BJP workers and common people in the airport premises, Mahaling wrote on X, “His unwavering leadership in the all-round development of Odisha, strengthening organizational power and serving the general public has infused a new enthusiasm among the youth and party workers across the state.”“Dharmendra bhai’s organisational skills and commitment are known to everyone. He was in the hearts of party workers yesterday and remains there today. He will continue to inspire BJP workers in the years ahead,” Bargarh MLA Ashwini Kumar Sarangi said.“For the national interest, whatever responsibility was entrusted to him, he fulfilled it. People’s affection for him will only continue to grow,” Mahakalpada MLA Durga Prasad Nayak said.State BJP vice-president Golakh Chandra Mohapatra said the grand reception reflected the affection and goodwill Pradhan continues to enjoy among party workers and supporters.
