Bhubaneswar: Senior Biju Janata Dal leader Damodar Rout, who was unceremoniously expelled from the council of ministers Friday, was dropped from the post of party vice-president by Chief Minister and party supremo Naveen Patnaik, Saturday.
The BJD president also removed Rout from the party post of observer of Dhenkanal district with immediate effect.
“The BJD president has been pleased to relieve Damodar Rout from the post of BJD vice-president as well as from the post of observer of Dhenkanal district with immediate effect,” informed BJD vice-president Usha Devi, in a statement released to media, Saturday evening.
The Chief Minister’s action followed a day after he expelled Rout from the Council of Minister for his alleged casteist remarks against Brahmins.
Rout, on the other hand, had said he would continue to work for the party and serve his constituency. Describing Saturday’s development as corollary, Rout said, ‘‘A minister and a party vice president are nominated posts. It is the Chief Minster’s prerogative to choose his ministers. It is also his right as party’s president to nominate a vice-president. He has chosen me as one of the vice-presidents. Now, he may have thought that I did not do well as vice-president. Besides, I am not keeping good health these days. He may have taken these things into consideration and decided to appoint a person who is fit for the post. I have nothing to say on this.”
With only one and a half years left before the state goes to polls in 2019, Rout’s ouster from the posts has created uncertainty about his future.
Prior to his removal from the post of vice president, BJD leaders came down heavily on Rout for his remarks. “He (Rout) may have some hidden agenda behind his controversial remarks that often embarrass the party and the government. It will come to light in future,” a statement released by party general secretary Bijay Nayak said.
PNN
