No mercy for Damodar Rout

Bhubaneswar, December 23, 2017: A day after sacking him from the Council of Ministers,
Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Saturday removed Damodar
Rout from the post of party’s vice-president and party’s observer for Dhenkanal
district.

A BJD communiqué signed by party vice-president and Minister
Usha Devi to this effect was issued to the media on Saturday evening.

“The president of Biju Janata Dal, Naveen Patnaik has been
pleased to relive Dr Damodar Rout from the post of Vice-President, Biju Janata
Dal well as from the post of observer of Dhenkanal district with immediate
effect,” said the BJD release.

On Friday evening, Patnaik sacked the BJD veteran from the Council
of Ministers for his casteiest remarks on Brahmin.

“I strongly disapproved of anyone who makes derogatory
remarks against any cast, creed or religion. I have dismissed Dr Rout from the
council of ministers. A letter has been sent this evening to the governor to
accept this dismissal,” Patnaik told reporters here on Friday.

Known for his off-the-cuff remarks, Rout, while attending
the Malyabanta function in Malkangiri on December 18 stirred a controversy by
saying that tribals never beg even in adverse situation; rather Brahmins beg
for alms, if situation arises.

Recently, Rout has also hogged headlines for questioning
freedom fighter status to Jayee Rajguru and even challenged CM Naveen Patnaik,
who hailed Rajguru as the first Odia freedom fighter. The BJD veteran also brought
embarrassment for Patnaik for his objectionable remarks against Anganwadi
workers.