Damodar Rout floats new political party ahead of polls

Bhubaneswar: Expelled Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and former minister Damodar Rout on Friday announced the formation of a new party namely Biju Samata Kranti Dal.

Rout said the party will work against the corruption in Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government.

He also said that the party will spread across the state.

Former union minister and founder of Samata Kranti Dal, Braja Kishore Tripathy and Odisha Jana Morcha (OJM) chief Jagneswar Babu were present on the occasion.

Floating a new party by Rout holds significance ahead of the general and assembly elections in the state next year.

Notably, Rout was expelled from BJD on September 12 for his alleged ‘anti-party’ activities. Earlier, he was sacked from the cabinet of Naveen Patnaik government.