Bhubaneswar: Ten months after being expelled by the party, veteran leader and former Odisha MLA Suresh Routray returned to the Congress on Saturday.
A day after new Odisha Congress president Bhakta Charan Das revoked suspension and expulsion of leaders, Routray visited the party headquarters in Bhubaneswar. As soon as he reached Congress Bhawan, several leaders including his elder son Siddharth Routray welcomed him.
It may be noted that Suresh Routray, popularly known as ‘Sura Bhai’, had been expelled from the Congress in April, 2024 for six years for indiscipline and anti-party activities.
After being appointed the president of OPCC, Bhakta Das not only revoked the suspension and expulsion of all leaders but also appealed to those who have quit the party to return. The move has sparked excitement and enthusiasm among party leaders and workers.
Soon after reaching Congress Bhawan, Suresh Routray turned emotional and burst into tears with his return to the grand old party after ten months. The former Jatni MLA thanked the Congress President and PCC chief for the steps being taken to rejuvenate the party in the state.
“I am back in Congress, which is my home. Thank you Rahul Gandhi, Congress and Bhakta Das for bringing me to my home. I was sacked from the party and it was injustice to me. I am so happy. I have returned to my home today,” the former legislator said.
Describing Congress Bhawan as a temple for him, he said he has been worshipping Jawaharlal Nehru since 1962.
It may be noted that the veteran leader had decided not to contest the elections last year. However, his younger son Manmath was a candidate for the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency as a BJD candidate, while elder son Siddharth contested on a Congress ticket from Nimapada Assembly seat.
Following allegation that he campaigned for his BJD candidate younger son for the last elections, the Congress expelled him for indiscipline and anti-party activities.
However, Routray had maintained that he was with the Congress and would continue to be with the grand old party.
