Bhubaneswar: BJD leader Damodar Rout , who was sacked from the ministry for his derogatory remarks against the Brahmin community, has raked up the issue once again.

Attending a meeting at Kudiari near Jatni on Sunday evening, Rout said: "I was sacked from the ministry because of raising some issues pertaining to the Brahmin community. I do have all respect for the community. But I have been misunderstood. The media played up the issue and I was dropped from the ministry."

However, Rout maintained that he had not done anything wrong or made any derogatory remarks.

Rout also came down heavily on the "nature of politics" that is being practised. Making a sarcastic remark on party-swapping by leaders, Rout said: "Politicians change colour frequently. This is nothing new. But I cannot change my colour. As my colour is black, if I change colour, no one can see me," Rout said.

In December last year, Naveen had sacked Rout for his derogatory remarks against the Brahmin community.