INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Since 1979, Damodar Rout had been in charge of more than 15 different departments
outfit on Wednesday on the charge of anti-party activities.The action came after a large number of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) workers met Patnaik
at his residence on Tuesday and submitted a petition seeking disciplinary action against Rout."As per order of BJD president Naveen Patnaik,
Paradip MLA Dr Damodar Rout has been expelled from the party," BJD secretary Bijay Nayak said in a statement.Mr Rout was also accused of
making anti-party statements and hobnobbing with the Congress and BJP leaders in Jagatsinghpur district.On his expulsion from the party, Mr
Rout said, "I have nothing to be sad over the action
I do not think I existed in the party
I was not in any party post."Mr Rout also said that he was not aware of the reasons for his expulsion from the partyThe seven-time MLA was
embroiled in controversy since last week after raising three alleged scams to the embarrassment of the ruling BJD as well as the state
government.While interacting with reporters, the veteran leader had alleged irregularities in sapling plantation, procurement of polythene
sheets for Orissa State Cooperative Milk Producers' Federation Limited (OMFED), in cooperative bank and in health sector.Earlier on
Wednesday, Mr Rout claimed that he never uttered a word against Patnaik and targeted only corrupt officers."I have not said anything against
The CM has a lot of exposure as he toured world wide
He is a good writer and his book has been a best seller
He is also a painter of international repute
He is not part of the allegations which I have made," he had told reporters."Some people working under the chief minister are guilty
They are indulging in such activities
Nobody is bringing it to public out of fear
I tried it," the former minister said referring to alleged corruption he had mentioned.On December 22, 2017, Mr Rout was removed as
agriculture minister over a controversial statement about the Brahmin community.He had been minister in the Naveen Patnaik Cabinet in all
Since 1979, Mr Rout had been in charge of more than 15 different departments during his long political innings after he became MLA for the
