BJP leaders in Odisha criticize MP Aparajita Sarangi’s daughter Rahar over her social media post on Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation.
Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation from the post of Education Minister has sparked an unexpected controversy within the BJP in Odisha after a social media post by the daughter of Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi drew criticism from party leaders.
Archita Sachin Rahar, Sarangi’s daughter, shared an Instagram story referring to Pradhan’s resignation in the wake of NEET papers leak controversy. The post quickly became a point of discussion within political circles and on social media, with several BJP leaders in the state expressing their displeasure over her remarks. However, her Instagram account no longer appears in search results on the platform. A report stated that her account had been “deleted.” However, HT was unable to independently verify this claim.
An Instagram post becomes a flashpoint
Rahar’s Instagram story reportedly included a photo of Dharmendra Pradhan against the backdrop of the national flag, accompanied by the message: “Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid massive student protests over NEET leak failure,” according to posts shared on social media.
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While the post was criticized by sections of the BJP, her mother’s office maintained that Rahar was expressing her personal opinion.
“Everyone has the right to express their opinion. Her daughter, who is from Generation Z, said she stands by her statement. She has the right to express her opinion,” Dhaneswar Parikh, MP’s office assistant, told the news agency. PTI By phone.
The daughter refuses to delete the post
Sarangi asked her daughter to remove the Instagram story after receiving a phone call from Pradhan’s office. However, these efforts reportedly did not change Rahhar’s stance, sources told PTI.
Read also | ‘No hero’ to ‘just a trailer’: How faces of CJP movement reacted to Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation
In another social media post, Rahar reportedly wrote: “Also, to the PA who is sure to text my mother asking me to delete my previous story (it’s happened before) – never mind. I won’t delete. Jai Jagannath! Jai Hind.”
Sarangi openly supports Dharmendra Pradhan
Hours after the controversy caught attention, Aparajita Sarangi posted a message on X expressing her support for Dharmendra Pradhan after his resignation.
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“Sridpradhanbjp ji has tendered his resignation today. Resigning after taking moral responsibility takes a lot of courage. I stand by him in this very difficult time. I wish him the best in the coming days. May Lord Jagannath bless him,” she wrote.
Odisha BJP leaders criticize Rahhar’s remarks
Several BJP leaders in Odisha openly objected to Rahar’s social media posts.
“Pradhan is a son of the soil. His resignation has hurt us. The Odias welcomed the daughter of Bihar (Aparajita) and made her MP twice,” said Jagannath Pradhan, who contested the 2024 Assembly elections from Bhubaneswar Central on a BJP ticket but lost.
He further said, “Sarangi should have control over her family members. She should apologize to Odisha because her daughter made negative statements against Pradhan. As an educated person, the MP’s daughter should not make such statements against Pradhan, who has had tremendous contributions to Odisha and India.”
Another senior BJP leader also criticized the development, saying, “BJP is a family and all members should stand by each other when he or she faces a problem. Opposing Sarangi’s daughter to the party leader is unacceptable in a disciplined party like BJP.”
Assam minister’s daughter joins NEET protests
A protest in Assam’s Guwahati over alleged irregularities in examinations and demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan took a political turn after Dibisa, the daughter of Assam Revenue and Disaster Management Minister and Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader Keshab Mahanta, joined the demonstration.
Videos were widely shared on social media, which allegedly show Dibisa participating in the protest and raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi while demanding Pradhan’s resignation.
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