Paradip: Damodar Rout Friday visited his assembly constituency for the second time since his expulsion, though this time on a government programme. During his interaction with local media, his words were found as scathing as they used to be earlier.
However, he failed in his attempt to conceal his depression writ large on his face.
During his first visit to Paradip after expulsion, he had found his followers who had always been at his beck and call were maintaining distance from him. The scenario during his second visit was no different either.
He attended the governing body meeting of Paradip College and later joined the preparatory meeting for Kalinga Bali Yatra. As it was expected, MP Kulamani Samal remained absent from the governing body meeting. Paradip municipality chairman Basant Biswal though attended the meeting, it seemed they were poles apart. Similarly, Kulamani Samal and town BJD president Sumant Biswal remained absent from the Baliyatra preparatory meeting.
When asked why his close followers are shunning him, a visibly irritated Rout launched a scathing attack at the CM, saying the CM is the prime accused. “If the CM of a state terms corruption as ludicrous, it can easily be guessed as to how the government is functioning,” he said.
In his reply to a question regarding the prevailing political situation in Paradip, Rout wryly said those who received education in his college are now opposing him. “During my 44 years of political career, none has ever surpassed me. I will teach them a lesson. They can no longer be in power or post. Kulamani Samal can never be an MP for the next term, nor will any BJD leader win the election,” Rout said.
Regarding the woman convention to be held Sunday, Rout said two ministers and two women leaders have been engaged to convince people and campaign for it. He said the work could have been done with a mere phone call from him when he was in the party.
As per his future course of action, he said he will launch a ‘Paribartan Yatra’ (Journey for Change) from Mahanga from October 2. “I will travel the length and breadth of the state. The tribal population of the State accounts for 25 per cent of the total population. And 22 per cent of them are with me. Just wait and see how I am going to cause harm to BJD,” he said.
When asked about his daughter and son, he said her daughter was married now. And what she is doing over there is none of his business. “And regarding my son, he has been made secretary by the party, but without any responsibility. And I have no role in it either.
PNN