With two Odisha leaders becoming Ministers in the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre, it was celebration time at the BJP State headquarters here on Monday.
While Jual Oram, the lone BJP MP from the State was swoen in as a Cabinet Minister, party national general secretary and Rajya Sabha member from Bihar Dharmendra Pradhan was inducted as a Minister of State with independent charge in the Modi Council of Ministers.
The party leaders were of the view that the induction of two leaders in the Central Ministry would lift the spirit of the party cadres who are now a demoralised lot following the party’s poor show in the State.
An elated Oram told mediapersons in Delhi, “I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to Mr Modi for inducting two leaders of Odisha in his Ministry.
It will definitely strengthen the party in the State. As a Minister at the Centre, I will work for development of my country as well as my State.”
Pradhan also thanked Modi for giving him “an opportunity” to serve the nation and said he would work both for the country and his party with utmost dedication.
Since Assembly election is Bihar is scheduled to be held in 2015, the Ministerial status to Pradhan, who is BJP Pravari for Bihar, is expected to boost the morale of the party cadres in that State, where the saffron party achieved an astounding success in the recent lok Sabha polls.
The party leaders believe Pradhan will now play a decisive role in the BJP organisation in eastern India, more particularly Bihar and Odisha.