Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the holy city of Puri on Friday to offer prayers at the Shree Jagannath Temple following the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) resounding victory in the Bihar assembly elections, where he played a key role in the campaign.
Accompanied by temple servitors, BJP leaders, workers, and administrative officials, Pradhan arrived at the Singhadwar (Lion’s Gate) of the temple around midday and was warmly welcomed.
Upon entering the temple premises, the minister first paid obeisance to Patitapaban, then proceeded via the Baisi Pahacha (22 steps) to the Ratna Singhasan, where he had darshan of the Chaturdha Vigraha (the four deities: Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Sudarshan). He also visited the shrines of Goddess Bimala, Laxmi, and other presiding deities, performing puja and archana.
Speaking to the media after darshan, Pradhan attributed the BJP’s massive success in Bihar—leading to the formation of the government—to the blessings of Mahaprabhu (Lord Jagannath). He emphasised that the victory was made possible by the unwavering faith of Bihar’s people in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the popularity of the central government’s welfare schemes, and the strong leadership of Nitish Kumar.
In a sharp critique, Pradhan accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of suffering from “delusion” and engaging in “foreign conspiracies.” He prayed to Lord Jagannath to grant Gandhi “good sense” (sadbudhi). The minister further lambasted the Congress for practising “divisive politics” in the country. Additionally, Pradhan welcomed ongoing efforts to retrieve the Kohinoor diamond associated with Mahaprabhu, calling it a commendable step.
Pradhan’s visit underscores the blend of politics and spirituality in Indian public life, especially after his significant responsibilities in steering the BJP’s Bihar campaign to victory.
