Bhubaneswar: Paradip MLA Sambit Routray on Friday said that his father Damodar Routray, who has joined BJP after being expelled from BJD in September last year, can make a comeback to the ruling party if the party supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wishes.
“I think my father is not happy after joining BJP,” Sambit told media persons.
On being asked if Rout will return to BJD, the first-time MLA said, “Nothing is impossible in politics. If party president wishes then Dama Babu can make a comeback to BJD.”
He further went on saying that Dama Babu is not a man of disposable personality.
Notably, Damodar unsuccessfully contested the Assembly elections from Balikuda-Ersama on a BJP ticket in the recently concluded elections.
Explaining the reason behind his father’s defeat, Sambit said, “Though Dama Babu had begun his career as a member of the erstwhile Janata Dal, and stayed in BJD for so many years people did not accept his decision to join BJP and contest polls.”
Damodar, a seven-time MLA, was first sacked from the State Council of Ministers and as BJD vice president in December 2017 for his remarks against the Brahmin community at a function in Malkangiri.
He was expelled from the BJD in September 2018 by party president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for making allegations of financial irregularities in some State government departments.
