Paradip: After maintaining a low profile for some time, expelled Biju Janata Dal leader Damodar Rout Tuesday hit out at party supremo Naveen Patnaik and called him names.
“It needs courage to call someone a thief”, Raut said, adding, he was expelled from the party for opening his mouth and having the courage to call the CM a ‘thief’.
“Naveen Patnaik has dismissed several leaders by branding them ‘thieves’. But I dare to call the CM a ‘thief’ and it was the main reason why they ousted me from party. I have no fear and will continue to speak against the CM. People of Odisha now want to be relieved of the two-decade-long corruption and misrule of the BJD government,” Rout said.
When asked about his political aspirations and his new outfit, Rout said he was not worried about his future.
“I’m 77-year-old now. I have been actively involved in politics for 44 years. Why should I think about my future?” he questioned.
“Wherever I go, I find thousands of supporters. Whatever I see, I say as I stand for the truth. But I have no idea who the people will vote for during elections. But one thing is sure that people of the State are desperate for a change in regime,” the senior leader said.
Raut also vent out his anger and accused Naveen Patnaik of acting on the direction of bureaucrat V K Pandian.
“Despite ruling the State for such a long time, the CM is not able to speak in Odia. He is expressing himself in Tamil as he is working on Pandian’s direction,” Rout added.
Responding to Rout’s comments, Culture Minister Ashok Panda said the senior leader’s claims will fall flat in the upcoming elections.
“Dama Babu has been saying a lot of things after being expelled from the party. His predictions will never come true,” said Panda.
PNN