What Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation means for Odisha politics?

Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation as Union Education Minister has undoubtedly dented the image of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Though he is unlikely to return to the Union Cabinet in the near future, his stature as a party strongman in Odisha remains largely intact.

Mr. Pradhan is Odisha’s longest-serving Union Minister and arguably its most influential leader. As a key figure in the BJP’s inner circle, he has wielded more power in the Centre than any politician from the State since the late Biju Patnaik.

“The resignation may be a temporary setback, forcing him to stay away from political activities or governance for a couple of months. He, however, continues to be the quintessential power centre in the Odisha politics,” said Rabi Das, a veteran political commentator.

Meanwhile, detractors argue that as a mere Member of Parliament, he won’t command the same pull he had as a Union Minister. In politics, power often dictates loyalty, and leaders in Odisha who once aligned with him may now reconsider their allegiance in light of his resignation  

The true test of his influence in Odisha will come with the next rejig in the Mohan Majhi government, which is long overdue. With multiple Cabinet Ministers professing their loyalty to the former Union Minister and a large section of BJP MLAs in his camp, any drop, reshuffle, or new induction will reveal how much sway he still holds.

Deep roots in party

Since his early days in the ABVP, Mr. Pradhan has been an active member of the Sangh Parivar and the BJP. He is one of the most recognisable figures in Odisha, owing to the legacy of his late father, Debendra Pradhan, who served as a Union Minister in the NDA government. 

Before 2014, he had been working closely with leaders such as the late Arun Jaitley and, later, with the current Prime Minister and the Home Minister. He rose to national prominence after the BJP swept to power under Mr. Modi’s leadership. Over the next 12 years, Mr. Pradhan remained deeply embedded in both the government and the party.

Mr. Pradhan was BJP’s undeclared chief ministerial face in the last Odisha election. Under his leadership, the party fought the 2017 local body and 2019 general and State elections. The party had gained electorally against the then powerful Biju Janata Dal Government under former CM Naveen Patnaik. However, the 2024 general election did not yield desired results for the saffron party forcing the former Minister to remain committed to central politics.

Since Mr. Majhi took over as CM, Mr. Pradhan has kept himself away from the State government. However, his grip over the government is an open secret with loyalists placed in important places.

Although his resignation came amid massive student protests, the central leaders including Mr. Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal calling on him signalled that he continues to hold significant importance within the party.

When he arrived in Parliament on Monday, NDA MPs welcomed him with chants of “Dharmendra Pradhan Zindabad”. The BJP apparently considers him a ‘victim’ rather than a ‘liability’.

State of affairs

BJP national president Nitin Nabin, CM Mr. Majhi, State Ministers and MLAs took to social media to praise Mr Pradhan’s contributions as the Union Minister. 

His exit now leaves Odisha’s slot in the Union Cabinet open. Top contenders include BJP vice-president and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda, as well as Rajya Sabha member Sujeet Kumar. A section within the State BJP is also advocating for the inclusion of State president and Rajya Sabha MP Manmohan Samal. Party sources suggest Mr. Pradhan’s influence is likely to be a significant factor in the decision-making process.

Mr. Pradhan will face a key test next year during the State’s rural and urban local body polls. With the BJD having swept the 2022 panchayat and civic elections, the Mohan Majhi government is under immense pressure to secure a win. A setback in these upcoming polls would mark a major embarrassment for the state leadership, making the former Union Minister’s role as a master poll strategist all the more crucial.