Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the longest-serving Union minister from Odisha in the central government. Previously, leaders from Odisha who were ministers in the centre never served three consecutive terms like Dharmendra. Both Dharmendra Pradhan and Sundergarh MP Juel Oram have been sworn in as ministers at the centre. While this marks the third time Oram has taken the oath as a union minister, his terms were not consecutive. Oram served in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet in 1999 and later in Narendra Modi’s first cabinet in 2014.
Pradhan, in contrast, has been a minister in Modi’s government for two terms since 2014 and has now been sworn in for a third consecutive term. This achievement is unprecedented among Odia leaders. Pradhan also holds the unique distinction of being the first Odia to head the Ministry of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Education. Dharmendra Pradhan’s political journey began when he was elected from the Debagad Lok Sabha seat in 2004. He has also represented Bihar and Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha, making him the first Odia to do so. In the most recent elections, he contested and won the Lok Sabha seat from Sambalpur, securing his position as a union minister in the cabinet.
Pradhan’s political career started during his student days with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). He served as the student president of Talcher College and led the ABVP in Odisha. His political ascent continued as he was elected as an MLA in 2000 and later as an MP in 2004. After his initial election to the Lok Sabha, Pradhan quickly established a strong presence in national politics. He was appointed BJP’s National President and later served as the National General Secretary. He also led the BJP Youth Morcha as its National President and was entrusted with overseeing several states as the state party in charge. His growing reputation earned him a place in Modi’s government from its inception.
In 2014, Pradhan took on the role of Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, followed by his appointment as Minister of Steel. He was subsequently assigned to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. In 2021, he was appointed Minister of Education. With his third consecutive term, Pradhan has now set a record as the longest-serving Odia Union Minister in consecutive terms. This remarkable journey highlights Shri Dharmendra Pradhan’s significant contributions and steadfast commitment to his roles in the central government, marking a historic achievement for Odisha in Indian politics.
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the longest-serving Union minister from Odisha in the central government. Previously, leaders from Odisha who were ministers in the centre never served three consecutive terms like Dharmendra. Both Dharmendra Pradhan and Sundergarh MP Juel Oram have been sworn in as ministers at the centre. While this marks the third time Oram has taken the oath as a union minister, his terms were not consecutive. Oram served in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet in 1999 and later in Narendra Modi’s first cabinet in 2014.
Pradhan, in contrast, has been a minister in Modi’s government for two terms since 2014 and has now been sworn in for a third consecutive term. This achievement is unprecedented among Odia leaders. Pradhan also holds the unique distinction of being the first Odia to head the Ministry of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Education. Dharmendra Pradhan’s political journey began when he was elected from the Debagad Lok Sabha seat in 2004. He has also represented Bihar and Madhya Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha, making him the first Odia to do so. In the most recent elections, he contested and won the Lok Sabha seat from Sambalpur, securing his position as a union minister in the cabinet.
Pradhan’s political career started during his student days with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). He served as the student president of Talcher College and led the ABVP in Odisha. His political ascent continued as he was elected as an MLA in 2000 and later as an MP in 2004. After his initial election to the Lok Sabha, Pradhan quickly established a strong presence in national politics. He was appointed BJP’s National President and later served as the National General Secretary. He also led the BJP Youth Morcha as its National President and was entrusted with overseeing several states as the state party in charge. His growing reputation earned him a place in Modi’s government from its inception.
In 2014, Pradhan took on the role of Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, followed by his appointment as Minister of Steel. He was subsequently assigned to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. In 2021, he was appointed Minister of Education. With his third consecutive term, Pradhan has now set a record as the longest-serving Odia Union Minister in consecutive terms. This remarkable journey highlights Shri Dharmendra Pradhan’s significant contributions and steadfast commitment to his roles in the central government, marking a historic achievement for Odisha in Indian politics.
