Bhadrak, Nov 22: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was accorded a rousing welcome during his visit to Bhadrak and Dhamnagar as part of his Odisha tour following the BJP-NDA’s victory in Bihar.

Thousands of party workers, leaders, and local residents gathered with traditional music, dances, and bike rallies to greet the senior leader.

Union Minister Pradhan began his Dhamnagar programme with a massive roadshow, followed by floral tributes at the statue of Mukunda Deva, the last independent king of Odisha, at Gohiratikiri.

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He is scheduled to visit a nearby monastery before joining the “Ekta Padayatra” to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The march, attended by Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, MP Abhimanyu Sethi, and MLA Sitanshu Sekhar Mohapatra, stretched from Gohiratikiri to Dobal Kali Bazaar.

Later, at a public meeting in Dobal Kalipadia, Pradhan will lay the foundation stone for 22 developmental projects worth ₹101 crore. These included the ₹15 crore Dhamnagar College development project under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, renovation of Senapatia pond, upgrading of the Luniya Shaheed memorial site, and establishment of a research centre and art gallery at Gohiratikiri.

Additionally, the Water Resources Department announced 10 projects worth ₹25.85 crore, the Works and Housing Department sanctioned three projects worth ₹18 crore, the Rural Development Department approved three projects worth ₹21.25 crore, and the Drainage Department initiated two projects worth ₹4.11 crore.

Pradhan’s visit also highlighted his growing stature as a key strategist for the BJP, with his leadership credited for successive electoral victories in states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Bihar. His Odisha tour marked the first since the Bihar win, and the enthusiasm among BJP cadres and the public underscored his rising influence in national politics.

From Bhubaneswar airport to Puri and Cuttack, Dharmendra Pradhan was greeted by massive crowds, reflecting the party’s momentum in the state.