Damodar Rout expelled from BJD

Bhubaneswar: Former minister and veteran leader Damodar Rout was on Wednesday expelled from ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

BJD president Naveen Patnaik has dismissed Damodar Rout from the party, said a party statement.

However, the party did not give any reason why the Paradip MLA was expelled from BJD.

Notably, Rout was vocal against corruption in Odisha government. He had also targeted the style of functioning in the ruling party.

After he raised corruption in the Odisha government, some BJD leaders from Jagatsinghpur district met BJD president demanding disciplinary action against Damodar Rout levelling charges of anti-party activities against him.

Earlier, Naveen had removed Rout from his ministry last year for his derogatory remarks against the Brahmin community. He was also removed from the vice-president post and Dhenkanal observer.