Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Pradhan Hits Back at Naveen Over NEET Leak Remarks
Two important leaders in Odisha are having a big argument.
One is Dharmendra Pradhan, who used to be a minister for the whole country.
The other is Naveen Patnaik, who used to be the chief minister of Odisha.
Mr. Patnaik is upset about a leaked exam paper called NEET, which is a test for students who want to become doctors.
He said Mr. Pradhan should quit because of the leak.
Mr. Pradhan says he did nothing wrong and served for 12 years without shame.
He also said Mr. Patnaik called him a bad word and told him to go back.
Mr. Pradhan said he loves his state and will not go away.
Other people from Mr. Patnaik's party said Mr. Pradhan made himself look bad.
They also talked about protests and student problems related to the exam.
The two sides do not agree on what happened.
Former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan targeted BJD president Naveen Patnaik over alleged personal remarks against him.
Pradhan said he served as a Union minister for 12 years without ever bringing disrepute to Odisha.
Patnaik had demanded Pradhan's resignation over the NEET question paper leak issue and directed BJD MPs to corner the BJP in Parliament.
BJD leader Rohit Pujari said Pradhan brought disrepute upon himself, citing alleged police action against students at Jantar Mantar and the deaths of 21 students.
Patnaik also cited Pradhan's exit as a precedent to demand the resignation of Odisha's State Education Minister over textbook errors.
- Who
- Former Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dharmendra Pradhan, and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik
- What
- Pradhan publicly countered Patnaik's alleged personal remarks and the demand for his resignation over the NEET question paper leak issue
- When
- On Saturday, at a public programme (specific date not mentioned in the articles)
- Where
- Redhakhol, in Pradhan's Sambalpur constituency, Odisha
- Why
- Patnaik had demanded Pradhan's resignation over the NEET paper leak and reportedly called him 'badmaas' (wicked), prompting Pradhan to defend his record
Pradhan and the BJP
Patnaik and the BJD
Responsibility for the NEET paper leak
Pradhan and the BJP
Pradhan says he served Odisha for 12 years as a Union minister without bringing disrepute to the state and should not be blamed.
Patnaik and the BJD
The BJD says Pradhan brought disrepute upon himself, citing alleged police action against students at Jantar Mantar and the deaths of 21 students over the paper leak.
Personal remarks and 'Go Back' campaign
Pradhan and the BJP
Pradhan says Patnaik called him 'badmaas' (wicked) and engaged people to chant 'Dharmendra Pradhan Go Back'; he insists he is a servant of Sambalpur and will keep coming back.
Patnaik and the BJD
BJD leader Rohit Pujari says nobody is trying to defame Pradhan, as he had brought disrepute upon himself.
Resignation demands over education issues
Pradhan and the BJP
Pradhan frames himself as a defender of Odisha's honour who has done no harm to the state.
Patnaik and the BJD
Patnaik demanded Pradhan's resignation over the NEET leak and used Pradhan's exit as a precedent to demand the Odisha State Education Minister's resignation over textbook errors.
- Main figures
- Dharmendra Pradhan (BJP) vs Naveen Patnaik (BJD)
- Pradhan's role
- Former Union Minister and Sambalpur MP
- Union minister tenure
- 12 years
- Flashpoint
- NEET question paper leak issue
- Patnaik's demand
- Pradhan's resignation over the NEET leak
- BJD counter-allegation
- Alleged police action against students at Jantar Mantar; deaths of 21 students
- Related demand
- Resignation of Odisha's State Education Minister over textbook errors
- Venue
- Redhakhol, Sambalpur constituency, Odisha