“I have received the complaints against Dr Damodar Rout on his anti-party activities. I will look into the allegations and take appropriate action,” the Chief Minister told the mediapersons.
Talking to mediapersons, Muduli alleged that Rout has been giving anti-party statements and hobnobbing with the Congress and BJP leaders in Jagatsinghpur district. “We demand his expulsion from the party with immediate effect,” he said.
Meanwhile, MSME minister and observer of Jagatsinghpur district Prafulla Samal and BJD vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra arrived at Naveen Niwas for a meeting with the Chief Minister over the matter.
On the other hand, Rout said he will give his statement only after knowing the kind of allegations.
Replying to the allegations that there has been a revolt against him by the party workers in his constituency, Rout said there are about 3 lakh people in his constituency. “If you want to know about my popularity, please come with me to my constituency. The Chief Minister is aware of my popularity. It is up to him to take a decision,” he pointed out.
“I have been removed from the ministry without my knowledge. I have also been relieved of the post of the party vice-president and the district party observer. Is there any doubt that I am not with the BJD anymore? By the way, the BJD now belongs to three MLAs— Debasis Samantray, Arun Sahu and Pranab Prakash (Bobby) Das. I am not with them,” Rout maintained.
Rout has drawn the ire of the party for raising the issues relating to massive scam in sapling plantation, procurement of polythene sheets for OMFED and Cooperative Societies before the media recently.
It may be recalled that the Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda was suspended from the party after a section of leaders had alleged anti-party activities against him.
Similar allegations have been brought against Rout by a section of leaders who are orchestrating his ouster from the party, political analysts have said.
