Bhubaneswar, Aug 22: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today emphasized that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) emergence as a governing force in Odisha is not an accidental development but the outcome of relentless effort, organizational sacrifice, and growing public confidence.
Pradhan made the statement while unveiling an book “Voices and Votes: Odisha’s Electoral Renaissance of 2024”, authored by Dr. Netaji Abhinandan and co-author Preet Bubna during a special event in Bhubaneswar. The launch was attended by several dignitaries, including veteran journalist Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, senior journalists Rajaram Satapathy and Navin Das, and author-professor Bishwaranjan, along with publisher Subhranshu Panda.
Speaking at the occasion, Pradhan said, “BJP’s growth in Odisha is not an accident. It is rooted in the trust of the people and the sacrifices made by thousands of committed karyakartas (party workers). It has taken years of hard work and dedication for the party to transform from a marginal force to forming a single-party government in the state for the first time.”
He further described the BJP not just as a political party, but as an ideological movement.
“The BJP and its predecessor, Bharatiya Jana Sangh, represent a thought process and vision that transcends conventional political boundaries,” he said.
Pradhan congratulated the authors for their insightful analysis of Odisha’s recent political transformation.
“Books that capture both history and contemporary realities help guide us toward the future,” he remarked.
He also recalled the recent release of another political commentary—“Election 2024 – Odisha Politics in Retrospect” by Chaudhury Amitabh Das—and welcomed the growing culture of political discourse through literature in the state.
Highlighting the role of the “double-engine government” model, Pradhan detailed the Modi government’s commitment to Odisha’s growth. He cited the recent approval by the Union Cabinet for establishing two semiconductor manufacturing units in Odisha as a major milestone.
“Semiconductors are at the heart of the new age global economy, and Odisha is now stepping into this high-value sector,” he noted.
He also mentioned the green signal given to the construction of a six-lane, controlled-access Greenfield Capital Region Ring Road project, calling it a vital step toward infrastructure modernization in the state.
The Minister asserted that Odia Asmita (identity) is not merely a political slogan but a deeper cultural and economic aspiration.
“It reflects our civilization, our values, and our dreams for the future. Preserving and promoting this identity is integral to Odisha’s long-term progress,” Pradhan said.
