In the face of intense NEET protests by the youth led by Cockroach Janta Party, Pradhan resigned on Saturday afternoon prompting Archita to share an Instagram post.
Fueling the speculation further, Archita claimed she would not remove the post even if asked to do so by her mother's office.
In an Instagram Story, she wrote: "Also, to DP's PA who is sure to text my mother asking me to delete my previous story (it has happened before) – don't bother, I won't delete. Jai Jagannath! Jai Hindi!"
Photo: Screen-grab
According to reports, Archita's Instagram account was deactivated later.
However, Aparajita Sarangi's PA Dhaneswar Barik has defended Archita's post stressing on her right to express her own views.
Contrasting stand with Aparajita Sarangi
While Archita was widely perceived as being supportive of the student protests and Pradhan's resignation, Aparajita Sarangi publicly stood by her party colleague during the NEET protest crisis.
Sarangi and Pradhan are both senior BJP leaders from Odisha, where the party formed the government in 2024.
Who are Aparajita Sarangi and Dharmendra Pradhan?
Aparajita Sarangi, a former IAS officer, is a two-time BJP Member of Parliament from the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency and is known for her administrative background and parliamentary interventions.
Dharmendra Pradhan, one of the BJP's tallest leaders from Odisha, represents the Sambalpur Lok Sabha constituency and has held several key Union portfolios before serving as Education Minister.