Bhubaneswar: A day after proposing a name for his new regional party named after former Chief Minister late Biju Patnaik, senior leader Damodar Rout today clarified that discussion on the finalisation of the party’s name is still under process.
The former agriculture minister yesterday proposed to form a party named as Biju Samatakranti Dal.
As already there is a party in the name of Samata Kranti Dal in Odisha, discussion regarding various technical issues including party symbol is being done.
Clarifying on his decision, Rout said, “I have reiterated from the very beginning that we all have same political ethics and we all stand by the Biju ideology. Since the people of the state are fed up over the failed administration by the BJD, the formation of a new regional political party is highly essential.”
Rout further stated that he is in touch with several leaders like Braja Tripathy, Panchanan Kanungo, Bijoy Mohapatra, Baijayant Panda who have been ousted from the BJD.
It is pertinent to mention here that Samata Kranti Dal is a party led by former BJD leader and union cabinet minister Braja Kishore Tripathy. He is also stated to be a part of the new political team proposed by Damodar Rout.
When contacted, Tripathy said Damodar Rout is a senior leader and has a lot of political experience.
“The way he was ousted from the BJD for speaking against corruption was not at all a good precedent and we fully support him,” said Tripathy.
“As far as the formation of the new party is concerned there are various formalities which need to be followed and I personally have no problem with it,” he added.