BHUBANESWAR: Union petroleum and natural gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan topped short of dropping clear hints about possibility of BJD MP Baijayant Panda joining the BJP. “Our doors are always open for good people. We will welcome them with open hearts,” Mr Pradhan told reporters here amidst speculation that the Kendrapara MP Panda, who is currently not pulling on well with the BJD chief, was inching close to the saffron party.
Stating that it was an opportunity to work under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the minister said if good people join the BJP, the country would make further rapid strides in different sectors. A four-time MP from Kendrapara, Baijayant has been sidelined in the BJD for his newspaper articles in which he criticised the highhandedness of some young leaders and rise in corruption and nepotism in the administration.
Peeved over his behaviour, the BJD chief and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had recently dropped him as the BJP Parliamentary Party spokesperson. Mr Panda, who is now in England, was unavailable for his comment. To another query, Mr Pradhan said there would be no compromise on issue of sharing of Mahanadi water between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. “There shall be no compromise on the Mahanaid water issue. We are leaving no stone unturned to protect the legitimate entitlements of Odisha,” said Mr Pradhan.
On the BJD vice president and state agriculture minister Dr Damodar Rout’s remark that he would contest against him from any constituency he chooses to fight in the coming Assembly polls, Mr Pradhan said, “He has thrown a good challenge to me. I’m a small squirrel…Still, I accept his challenge.”
Asked if Baijayant Jay Panda would join the BJP, the minister said, “Our doors are open for good people. We will welcome them with open hearts.” Stating that it was an opportunity to work under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Mr Pradhan did not say much on the controversial “thief” remark made by BJD MP Tathagat Satpathy. “His is the MP of Dhenkanal Lok Sabha to which I belong,” the minister said without adding any further.
