Bhubhneshwar, Sep 12: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday former minister Damodar Rout from the party days after he alleged financial irregularities in some departments of the Odisha government. In a press release, BJD secretary Bijay Nayak said Damodar Rout was expelled following the order of BJD president and chief minister Naveen Patnaik.

Rout, an MLA from Paradip constituency, has been under fire since he raised back-to-back three alleged scams to the embarrassment of the ruling BJD as well as the state government. The seven-time MLA further claimed that he as a minister had suspended some officers on corruption charges. "But, those officers were reinstated, and I was thrown out of the ministry," Rout said.

Rout said It was the duty of the opposition parties to expose the wrongdoings in the government. But, they had not been able to do so. Following Rout's statement, BJD leaders Prashant Muduli and Bishnu Das, along with along with BJD workers, met Naveen Patnaik demanding action against him. The chief minister on Tuesday said he was "examining" allegations against Rout.

Earlier today, Rout clarified that he had never uttered a word against Patnaik and targeted only corrupt officers. "I have not said anything against the chief minister. All along I have a high impression on our chief minister. The CM has a lot of exposure as he toured worldwide.... He is not part of the allegations which I have made," Rout told reporters.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2018 11:24 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).