Bhubaneswar, Mar 25: A few hours after paying obeisance to Lord Jagannath in Shrimandir at Puri, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has been named BJP candidate for the prestigious Sambalpur district, visited the Lingaraj Temple and took the blessings of the Lord for a victory.

Pradhan said he would also visit the Samaleswari Temple at Sambalpur hereafter.

"I am fortunate to be named as a candidate for the Sambalpur Lok Sabha seat by my party (BJP)'s Central leadership. I will make a squirrel's efforts in the Maha Abhiyan started under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After taking blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and Mahaprabhu Lingaraj, I will go to Maa Samalei now," Pradhan said.

Stating that the Maha Abhiyan of the Prime Minister is a resolution of both the Country and States, Pradhan said Odisha will celebrate its 100th year of statehood in 2036 and India its 100th year of Independence in 2047 and, thus, the coming 12 years is very important for Odisha and 25 years for the country.

"During the last 10 years, many welfare works have been done in the country. Focus has been given to the welfare of the poor people. Many schemes have been introduced for the upliftment of women, youth, farmers and poor people. Let Modi become Prime Minister again. After all, Odia pride, Odia identity, and Odia self-esteem should be upheld. For this, the BJP will expedite its Lok Sampark Abhiyan (public relationship campaign)." Pradhan said.

When asked when he will begin campaigning, a visibly elated Pradhan said, "Campaigning started with Jana Seva on the day Narendra Modi took charge as Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014. Due to every day's public relationships and hard work, people's trust in the BJP has risen. It will be intensified in Odisha further."

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