Congress Expels Odisha’s Jatni MLA Suresh Routray For 6 Years

Bhubaneswar: The Congress on Monday expelled its senior leader from Odisha, Suresh Kumar Routray, for six years for anti-party activities and indiscipline.

In a press release, KC Venugopal, general secretary of All India Congress Committee, said the Congress president has taken note of the complaints of indiscipline and anti-party activities against Suresh Routray. “The Congress president has approved the expulsion of Suresh Routray from the party for six years with immediate effect,” it added.

It may be noted that some Congress leaders of the state had complained against Routray, the sitting Jatni MLA, for campaigning for his son Manmath Routray, who is the BJD candidate for Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency.

Following the complaint, chairman of OPCC disciplinary committee Santosh Singh Saluja had issued a notice to Routray, seeking a reply as to why action should not be taken against him for anti-party activity.

The veteran Congress leader, who has announced retirement from electoral politics, was seen campaigning for Manmath, a former Air India pilot, in parts of Bhubaneswar North Assembly segment.

Routray was seen appealing for votes for his son in a park. He was also seen campaigning for his son in different parts of Bhubaneswar constituency on Sunday.

Routray is a six time MLA from Jatni and is associated with the Congress since 1980.