Puri, March 18 -- Following the demise of former Union Minister Dr Debendra Pradhan, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday said that it is the latter's contributions that the BJP has formed the government in the state.

"The last rites of Dr Debendra Pradhan are about to begin. Thousands of people have gathered here to pay their last respects... Dr Debendra Pradhan has done a lot for the BJP in the state. It is his contributions that the BJP has formed the government today... I pray that his family has the strength to bear this loss," Majhi told reporters.

The Odisha Chief Minister was accompanied by Baba Ramdev and BJP leader Sambit Patra. Meanwhile, the mortal remains of former Union Minister Dr Debendra Pradhan were take...