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Bhubaneswar: Putting all speculations to rest, expelled BJD leader Damodar Rout floated a new regional party ‘Biju Samatakranti Dal’ named after former Odisha Chief Minister late Biju Patnaik.
Announcing the name of his new political party at a presser today, Rout informed that the decision to float a new political party was taken keeping in view the rampant corruption which is being encouraged by the ruling-Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
The new political party will be a merger of other smaller parties including Braja Tripathy-led Samata Kranti Dal and other leaders who have vowed to fight against corruption in the State, informed sources.
“Samata Kranti Dal was merged with Biju Samatakranti Dal and the new party will adopt the manifesto of Samata Kranti Dal and will add its new election manifesto for the 2019 elections,” said Rout.
Samata Kranti Dal chief, Braja Tripathy informed that the proposal of the merger was approved in a meeting and it will be tabled in the next executive meeting. Election Commission will be approached with necessary amendments that have been made. Samata Kranti Dal has a symbol and after the new party gets recognition necessary measures will be taken in this regard, he informed.
Meanwhile, Rout also took a dig at Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik alleging rampant corruption from block level to all panchayats in the State. He also slammed the Odisha government for allegedly not taking action against corrupt leaders who now rule the roost in the BJD government.
The former minister also expressed displeasure over the way he was thrown out of BJD for raising voice against corruption. Alleging that all the disciples of late Biju Patnaik have been shown the door, Rout stated that the people of Odisha now want change and the new regional party will fight against corruption.
During the presser, Damodar Rout informed that former Odisha DGP Prakash Mishra will join his newly formed party. However, Mishra in a telephonic interview categorically stated that nobody has spoken with him and he doesn’t have any intention to join politics.
Meanwhile, Damodar Rout’s move to float a new party has drawn mixed reactions from different political parties.
“Whatever Damodar Rout will say, it will certainly have an impact on people as the senior leader was earlier with the BJD. The new party will also impact BJD in a big way,” said Congress leader Sarat Rout.
BJP’s Samir Mohanty stated that "Only time will tell what impact Damodar Rout’s party will have in Odisha. But whatever issues he has raised, they certainly assume importance."
BJD spokesperson Prashanta Nanda on the other hand stated that the new regional party will have no impact on the ruling party's prospects.
“Several eminent leaders had floated parties and they completely lost their way as their parties were not accepted by people,” said Nanda.
