Pradeep Maharathy, Damodar Rout

Bhubaneswar, May 21: The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today launched a well orchestrated campaign against former agriculture minister Damodar Rout for his comment that chief minister Naveen Patnaik acts at the behest of Rajya Sabha member Pyari Mohan Mohapatra.

Rout had said he was asked to resign from the government because he was not in the good books of the “second power centre” (Pyari Mohan Mohapatra).

Reacting to his comments, newly inducted agriculture minister Pradeep Maharathy, who replaced Rout, today said: “Instead of criticising the party leadership, Rout should resign from the state Assembly and contest as an independent candidate to prove his support base.”

Earlier, Rout had described Maharathy as “a political joker”. “Throughout his political career, Maharathy has been behaving as a joker. I do not give much importance to his reaction,” Rout said while asserting that he “is loyal to the party and its leader Naveen Patnaik”.

“I have full faith in him (Naveen). Whatever decision he takes, I will abide by it. There is no problem in accepting his decision,” Rout said.

Meanwhile, Naveen said: “The issue (Rout’s remarks) is being looked into.”

Maharathy, a five-time MLA who became a minister for the first time, is known for his proximity with Mohapatra.

“There is no second power centre in the party. Pyari babu is a frontline party worker who devotes 18 hours for the cause of the organisation. Naveen is the only leader and his writ runs supreme in the party,” said Maharathy, adding that even during BJD’s formation Rout had criticised the party describing it a “party of snails”.

“In the past, several leaders have tried to undermine Naveen’s authority. All of them disappeared from the political horizon. Dama (Rout) babu is an unseasonal cloud and will evaporate in the Bay of Bengal. No one should attach significance to his comments,” said Maharathy.