As was expected since weeks, a disillusioned Damodar Rout resigned from the BJP on Wednesday.
“After conclusion of the general elections, my presence and involvement in party programmes and policy making process are not being felt necessary,” Rout said in his resignation letter sent to BJP State president Basanta Kumar Panda.
Rout, who reiterated his decision of retirement from electoral politics, told reporters that he would consider returning to the BJD if he is asked.
Earlier, Rout had said, “No one from the BJP discussed with me over the Bijepur bypoll. The number of party MLAs has increased from 10 to 23 in the Assembly polls, following which my presence is not necessary for them (BJP).”
BJP national general secretary in charge of Odisha Arun Singh said Rout’s resignation would make no difference to the party.
Rout’s son Sambit Routray, who is the Paradip BJD MLA, said his father had made a mistake by joining the BJP on the eve of the last general elections.
Notably, Damodar Rout had been expelled from the BJD in September, last year for allegedly making a series of anti-party statements. He later joined the BJP in March this year before the elections and miserably failed to win as the party candidate in the Balikuda-Erasama Assembly constituency
