Damodar Rout (top) and Surya Narayan Patro

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 20: Infighting in the Biju Janata Dal came to the fore once again, this time inside the Assembly, as a senior minister sought to put the record straight on former agriculture minister Damodar Rout’s controversial exit from the cabinet over three months ago.

“He (Rout) was asked by the chief minister to resign because he had lost his confidence in the wake of his (Rout’s) alleged anti-Dalit remarks,” revenue minister Surya Narayan Patro told the Assembly.

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes had recommended action against Rout after police had lodged a case against him.

“In fact, he should have resigned the day he was released on bail. But he refused to see the writing on the wall and was finally asked by the chief minister to put in his papers,” said Patro.

Reacting to Patro’s statement, Rout told the media: “I don’t know why he asked me to resign. The reason is best known to him. He (the chief minister) should have clarified it in the House instead of Patro.”

Referring to his alleged anti-Dalit remark at a public meeting, the axed minister explained that he had only uttered the word “Harijan” as legislators often do.

The matter is also pending in court. “Why was Patro allowed to say such a thing,” he asked.

Without naming Patro, the former minister said: “ Some people cling on to power by flattering somebody. But I don’t want to remain in power through flattery.”

The disgruntled leader claimed that he was advised by Patro to mend fences with Mohapatra, who is considered the “second power centre” in the BJD.

Earlier, giving his explanation in the House, Rout also admitted that he had tendered his resignation soon after he was asked by the chief minister to do so. “Of course, it is the prerogative of the chief minister to drop or induct a minister,” he said.

Stating that he had been in public life for four decades, the veteran leader said he had been elected to the Assembly six times and served as minister five times. During his tenure as minister, his ability, integrity and loyalty had never been questioned. Rather he had received accolades at the national as well as state level, Rout said. Even Naveen, he added, had inducted him in his ministry twice and assigned him important portfolios.

“However, I don’t want to remain in power through flattery by sacrificing dignity,” he said.

Rebel BJD leader Debasis Nayak, who has been suspended from the party, said: “Rout, a senior leader, has every right to explain the circumstances leading to his resignation from the cabinet. However, a party minister should not have countered him in the Assembly; that I think was unethical. This has exposed the internal squabbles in the party.”