Bhubaneswar: Veteran politician and former Odisha Minister Damodar Rout has urged people to remain vigilant against those entering politics with an aim to earn money and amass wealth by exploiting, cheating and misleading ordinary citizens.
Alleging that some people are joining politics only to earn money, Rout lashed out at these elements and asked them to refrain from exploiting common citizens and misleading them in the name of politics.
“If you want to make money, engage yourself in trade and business and don’t jump into politics. Never exploit and mislead common people in the name of politics,” the senior leader said at a programme organised to celebrate his birthday recently.
These people, who are only after money, have deviated from the ideals and principles of late Biju Patnaik in an insult to the legendary leader, Rout alleged, urging the ordinary citizens to remain vigilant against these elements.
“You all must remain alert and protect yourselves from the conspiracy of these unscrupulous people who are using politics for their own financial gain,” he said, appealing to the people not to get misled by the game plans of such elements.
Referring to his home turf Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district, Rout said Biju Patnaik was instrumental in setting up Paradip Port, whose master plan aimed at a 120 million tonne cargo handling and the goal has already been achieved.
Stating that plans are afoot to increase the port’s capacity 5 lakh metric tonne by 2037, he said the population of the port town is also likely to increase four times.
Therefore, the government must take necessary steps for comfortable stay of the people and provide them with all basic amenities and civic facilities, he said, adding that special attention should be given for the welfare of the slum-dwellers.
