Damodar Rout

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 16: In what could be described as a googly, rebel Biju Janata Dal leader Damodar Rout has invited party president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik to inaugurate his ‘non-political’ outfit — Biju Vichar Manch — on October 2.

Rout, who was dropped from the cabinet by Naveen in May allegedly for repeatedly questioning the authority of a “parallel power centre” (read Rajya Sabha member Pyari Mohan Mohapatra) in controlling both the party and the government, has been left in the lurch by his party colleagues ever since. Though a vice-president of the party, Rout has allegedly been sidelined. He remains conspicuous by his absence at various party events.

Miffed at the treatment being meted out to him by party leaders, Rout floated the Biju Vichar Manch — a platform for followers of the late Biju Patnaik irrespective of their party affiliations. Rout said the new organisation would discuss the ideology and vision of the legendary leader. Sources said nearly 1,000 “Biju lovers” would participate in the inaugural event.

Rout said: “I have already sent a formal letter inviting the chief minister. Now I am busy touring the state’s flood-affected areas. I will personally go and extend the invitation to the chief minister to inaugurate the Manch. The Manch will try and unite all the people who love and follow Biju’s ideology.”

Rout said the forum would air the sentiments of those who love Biju. At the same time, he made it clear that he was not expecting any “disciplinary action” against him by the party.

“I am not doing anything wrong. What do I stand to lose? In any case, I am not being invited to party programmes despite being its vice-president,” he said.

Bitter about being ignored by his own party, Rout loves to recall how in 1974 he was inspired by Biju babu, who valued his self esteem more than anything else, to quit a government job and contest the Assembly election next year on a Utkal Congress ticket, a regional outfit floated by the late leader. He lost the elections that year. However, in 1977, he made his way to the Assembly.

“Biju babu was a man with a vision. Things are in a mess here today. That’s why, there is a need for recalling his vision and ideals,” Rout said.