Bhubaneswar, August 8: FORMER Union Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday asserted that he would never allow the pride and self-respect of Odisha to be compromised, while accusing former Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik of attempting to politically target him through protests during his recent visit to the state.

Addressing a gathering at Rairakhol in the Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency, which he represents, Pradhan referred to the slogans of “Dharmendra Pradhan Go Back” raised by BJD supporters during his visit and questioned the rationale behind the campaign against him.

Pradhan said his long association with public service had been made possible by the blessings of Lord Jagannath and Maa Samaleswari, as well as the continued support and trust of the people of Odisha. He noted that he had served as a Union minister for 12 years and said he remained committed to upholding the dignity of the state and its people.

“I have never allowed the heads of Odisha’s 4.5 crore people to bow in shame. As long as I live, I will not betray the trust reposed in me or do anything that hurts Odisha’s pride and self-respect,” Pradhan said.

The Union minister was speaking at a foundation stone-laying ceremony for a Kendriya Vidyalaya campus in Rairakhol. BJD MLA and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Prasanna Acharya, who was present on the dais, was also mentioned by Pradhan during his address.