No apology, Damodar Rout must resign: BJP

Bhubaneswar: It seems just seeking apology is not going to save Odisha’s Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout for his remarks allegedly against the BJP spokesperson Lekhasri Samantsinghar as the party’s women's brigade continued its agitation and burnt effigy of the BJD stalwart.

BJP Mahila Morcha today staged a protest in front of Ram Mandir here and reiterated its demand for Rout’s resignation. The women's wing, led by Menakshi Priyadarshini, also threatened to continue stir till the minister resigns.

“The remark of Rout, who holds such an important position in the State, is unacceptable. We demand his resignation and won’t back out,” said Priyadarshini.

Read More: Naveen remembers Biju Babu’s heroics in J&K against Pakistan

This is not the first time that the leader has made such outrageous remark against a woman. It needs to be stopped, she added.

Meanwhile, Rout reiterated that his remarks were not intended towards anyone.

“I didn’t attack anyone personally. My remarks were just a folk-dialogue. I even sought apology if my words hurt anyone. My duty is to protect the chief minister and that’s all I was doing. I am not a double standard person,” clarified the minister.

On the other hand, Lekhasri demanded Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to speak on the matter. "The women are agitating as they feel that the apology of Damodar Rout lacks sincerity. I feel that the Chief Minister should personally step into the matter and tell about his viewpoint on women," she said.

https://youtu.be/czIv9gEkRdU