Odisha BJP leaders criticise post by MP’s daughter on Pradhan

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.

Ms. Rahar, in an Instagram post which had a photograph of Mr. 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 for Mr. Pradhan.

Ms. Sarangi, a two-time MP from Bhubaneswar, was, however, unavailable for comment. Sources said the lawmaker had asked her daughter to remove the post after getting a phone call from Mr. Pradhan’s office. However, it failed to have an impact.

BJP leaders criticised Ms. Rahar over her post. Jagannath Pradhan, a BJP leader, said, “Mr. Pradhan is son of the soil. His resignation has hurt us. Odias have welcomed the daughter of Bihar [Aparajita] and made her MP twice.”

“Ms. Sarangi should have control over her family members. She should tender an apology to Odisha for her daughter making adverse remarks against Mr. Pradhan,” he added.