Petroleum Minister Pradhan says will contest elections from Odisha in 2024
Union minister and Rajya Sabha MP Dharmendra Pradhan, has expressed desire of contesting elections from Odisha in 2024.
Assembly elections are due in the coastal state next year, along with the Lok Sabha polls.
I have already requested the party (BJP) I will contest this time, Pradhan said at an event organised by The New Indian Express here.
However, he did not make it clear whether he will contest assembly or Lok Sabha polls.
I am a strong believer of democracy, I believe in political homework and political hard work, not just management. To continue my connect with the common masses, I think the best way is to contest polls, Pradhan told PTI on Tuesday.
Pradhan was elected to the Odisha Assembly in 2000 and to the Lok Sabha from Deogarh Parliamentary seat in 2004, when the BJP was in alliance with Biju Janata Dal.
However, Pradhan lost the Assembly elections in 2009 after the BJP-BJD alliance broke. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2012 and for a second term in 2018.
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