Bhubaneswar: A day after his expulsion from BJD, senior legislator Damodar Rout today sharpened his attack against Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik and said the sooner he (Naveen) will leave the State, the better it will be for Odisha.
Rout, who was instrumental in foiling a coup against Patnaik on May 29, 2012, stated that when the ruler becomes drab and unconcerned, sycophants rule the roost and the same situation is prevailing in the State.
Making a direct attack on Patnaik, Rout said the BJD president, in order to safeguard his political interests, keeps changing his ideology, which is contrary to the ideals of his father and former chief minister Biju Patnaik.
"A section of BJD leaders are now looting Odisha in the name of Biju Patnaik. This must be hurting the soul of the legendary leader. It will be good for the people of Odisha if the chief minister is unseated at the earliest," Rout said.
Dama further stated that he did not join the BJD, but Naveen accompanied by Rama Krushna Patnaik and AU Singh Deo had visited his residence and invited him to join the party.
“After the formation of the party, there was a coup within three months. I helped him (Naveen) when the dissenters said without their help he cannot win election in coastal Odisha,” said Rout.
He alleged that a conspiracy is being hatched to loot another 20 mines in the State. Besides, he lambasted Chief Minister's Private Secretary, VK Pandian and former Mayurbhanj Collector Rajesh Prabhakar Patil for the sapling scam.
Earlier today, upon his return from the national capital, Patnaik told reporters, "Dama babu has always been making irresponsible statements. His allegations are ridiculous."
Meanwhile, BJD Rajya Sabha MP, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik said, “There was no way other than expelling him because of his actions in the past few days.”