Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, recently nominated as the BJP candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in Odisha, embarked on a significant visit to the revered Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. Seeking blessings from the sibling deities, Pradhan expressed his reverence ahead of the crucial electoral contest. Returning to the political arena after a hiatus of 15 years, Pradhan’s nomination marks a notable shift as he gears up to contest from the Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency, replacing incumbent party representative Nitish Gangdeb.

Reflecting on his temple visit, Pradhan remarked, “It’s my fortune that I could have darshan of the deities on this auspicious day.” He underscored the growing faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and highlighted the perceptible wave of change sweeping across Odisha. Emphasizing the significance of a “double-engine government” in the state, Pradhan affirmed his commitment to reach out to every household, acquainting them with PM Modi’s transformative vision for Odisha’s development. Expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contest from Sambalpur, known as the sacred land of Maa Samlei, Pradhan conveyed his aspirations to serve the public with utmost dedication and strength.