Pallahara: Senior BJP leader Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Sunday hinted at contesting from Pallahara, his old constituency in Angul district, during the 2019 general elections.
Speaking at the centenary of Munduribeda Primary School here as chief guest, he said he was defeated because of his own mistakes last time. However, Pradhan expressed the hope that this time he would get more public support.
He added that it was for the party to decide whether he will contest the Lok Sabha or Assembly elections.
Pradhan, a Rajya Sabha MP from Bihar, is often challenged by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders to contest from his home state, where Assembly polls are due in 2019.
“I will definitely contest the next election in 2019 from Odisha,” the Petroleum Minister told the media.
Pradhan has been a Rajya Sabha Member from Bihar since 2012. The BJP leader, who was elevated to Cabinet rank and given additional charge of Skill Development in the reshuffle last month, had not contested the 2014 LS polls.
Pradhan had won from Pallahara in the 2000 Odisha Assembly election. In 2004, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from Deogarh when the BJP and BJD were allies.
Pradhan said he has a special attachment to the people of Munduribeda in Angul, and it is also the village of his mother’s uncle. Whatever he or his family is today is because of the people here, Pradhan added.
Pradhan won from Pallahara in 2000, but was defeated in 2009.
PNN