KalingaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar: With speculation rife on Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s promotion as a cabinet minister during the ministry reshuffle by Modi Government scheduled for Sunday, his bete noire in state politics Damodar Rout surprised everyone on Saturday saying he would welcome the elevation.
Deviating from his usual verbal spat with Pradhan, the state Agriculture minister said he would welcome it if he does make it to the Union cabinet.
“We would be happy if Pradhan is promoted to Cabinet berth during the reshuffle on Sunday. But he should act for the benefit of people remaining above the party line. That is what we expect,” said Rout while answering a question by reporters here.
Notably, the veteran BJD leader Rout and the Union PNG Minister have engaged in verbal duels on many occasions in the past. But the dispute between the two leaders has intensified since the Paradip IOCL refinery tax dispute with the Odisha Government cropped up a few months ago. Reacting on the issue in April this year, Rout had even warned Pradhan of shutting down the IOCL project. That apart, when Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik planned a meeting with Pradhan at Dehli to hold a discussion on refinery issue for an amicable solution, Rout had also objected the move.
Ms Kalinga