Pratap Chandra Sarangi, the newly elected BJP parliamentarian from Odisha, today took oath as the Union Minister of State at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The leader, known for his austere lifestyle, was greeted by loud cheers from the crowd and BJP leaders as he came on the dais. Party chief Amit Shah was seen clapping for Mr Sarangi.
He is Mr Pratap Sarangi, the newly elected Balasore MP. He is packing his bag to go to Delhi. He is not married,He has a small kucha house and a bicycle and nothing else. Salute to the indomitable spirit of this man, who defeated a billionaire like Rabindra Jena... Central Hall pic.twitter.com/ID34UyU2dB
— Patitapaban panda (@papunupanda) May 25, 2019
Mr Sarangi, 64, is considered a giant slayer of sorts as he defeated two of the richest candidates in the Lok Sabha elections from Balasore district.
Proud moment for Odisha..This man own the heart of every Indian by his simplicity..💐💐 @pcsarangi #ModiSarkarDobara #PratapSarangi pic.twitter.com/jVa4jnQpoq
— Pravasadatta Sethy (@pravasadatta1) May 30, 2019
Pratap Chandra Sarangi, a first-time BJP MP from Odisha who has become minister in the Narendra Modi govenment, is making waves by his simple lifestyle and unpretentious ways.
Sarangi, 64, caused quite a stir when he was sworn in on May 30, with his noticeably unkempt hair and white kurta.
An earlier picture of him packing his bags for Delhi in his basic bamboo hut has gone viral.
The austere Sarangi won the Balasore Lok Sabha seat, defeating the BJD’s Rabindra Jena, a former MP and businessman, by more than 12,000 votes.
A resident of Balasore district, he initially wanted to join the Ramkrishna Math, but later took to social work.
Newly elected MP from Balasore, Odisha, Pratap Chandra Sarangi takes oath as Minister. #ModiSwearingIn pic.twitter.com/Z3a5lvbFLJ
— ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2019
After working as a clerk in a college he was influenced by the RSS, and started working with Hindu outfits.
Sarangi who uses a bicycle to commute and speaks Sanskrit has an image far removed from the trappings of wealth and power associated with most MPs. His declared assets are Rs 13 lakhs.
“In Balasore, there is drinking water shortage. I will do my best to see that the people of my constituency get it,” he told news agency IANS.
Sarangi believes that the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, which is known its elephants, can provide jobs to the youth of the area and boost tourism.
Though he has now become minister, don’t be surprised if you catch him on a cycle, riding the streets of Delhi!
Simple Living High Thinking: Personifying this statement is 2-time MLA & newly elected BJP's Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi. And this is why the seasoned politician has taken the internet by storm and receiving immense love & appreciation from across the country #Odisha #Verdict2019 pic.twitter.com/07K8A5OgYY
— OTV (@otvnews) May 28, 2019