Odisha BJP MP's daughter's social media post on Pradhan's resignation sparks ire in party

A social media post of Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi's daughter Archita Sachin Rahar allegedly celebrating the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as the Union education minister has sparked resentment in the party rank and file in Odisha.

Rahar, in an Instagram post, which had a photograph of Pradhan in the backdrop of the national flag, wrote, "Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid massive student protests over NEET leak fiasco."

State BJP leaders, including her mother, on the other hand, expressed sympathy to Pradhan.

"Everyone has the right to express their views. Her daughter, who is from Gen Z, said she stands by her statement. She has the right to speak her mind," the MP's office assistant Dhaneswar Barik told PTI over phone.

Asked whether Rahar's social media post has put the Bhubaneswar MP in trouble, Barik said, "Only time will tell."

The two-time MP from Bhubaneswar was, however, unavailable for comment.

PTI citing sources reported that the lawmaker had asked her daughter to remove the post after getting a phone call from Pradhan's office. However, it failed to have an impact.

Rahar, in another social media post, wrote, "Also, to DP's PA who is sure to text my mother asking me to delete my previous story (it has happened before) -- Don't bother. I won't delete. Jai Jagannath! Jai Hind."

After her daughter's tough stand on her post, Aparajita Sarangi, in an X post on Saturday night, wrote, "Sri @dpradhanbjp ji has tendered his resignation today. Resigning after owning moral responsibility calls for a lot of courage. I stand by him in this very difficult time. I wish for him the best for the days to come. May Lord Jagannath shower HIS Blessings upon him."

BJP leaders of Odisha criticised Rahar over her post.

The issue has also been discussed widely on social media.