What’s the problem in removing Pandian: Damodar Rout

Bhubaneswar: Former Minister and senior BJD leader Damodar Rout on Sunday said that there is no harm in removing the bureaucrat on moral grounds if there are allegations against him.

Giving his instance, Rout said he was also removed from the council of ministers in the Naveen Patnaik government over a communal issue.

“If there are allegations against an officer under him (CM), what is the problem in removing him even if the news are sponsored? I was also removed from my position over a communal issue,” reacted Damodar Rout on Pandian.

The statement of the BJD leader came a day after few BJP activists resorted to vandalism at the official residence of Chief Minister’s private secretary VK Pandian.

Notably, Rout was sacked as a cabinet minister for his controversial remark on Brahmin community.

However, Rout condemned the attack on Pandian’s residence saying that power has gone to the head of BJP.

“The BJP’s act is not at all acceptable. It is condemnable,” said Rout.

On Saturday, in an unprecedented incident, a group of BJP youth wing activists vandalised the official residence of IAS officer Pandian. With party flags, about 30 activists of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) arrived at the official residence of Pandian at Unit-VI and shouted slogans against him, alleging that he was working for the ruling BJD.

Four BJP activists were arrested in connection with the attack and were booked under 10 sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including section 307 (attempt to murder).

Meanwhile, the state IAS association on Sunday held a meeting and condemned the incident. They also decided to meet the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and Home Secretary regarding the issue.