The Congress party has wielded the disciplinary axe against Jatni MLA Suresh Kumar Routray ousting him from the party for a duration of six years.
· The expulsion order comes amidst a tumultuous period for the party, triggered by the departure of Routray’s son, Manmath, who opted to join the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).
· Routray’s abrupt resignation from all committees within the Congress fold following his son’s political pivot intensified scrutiny and fueled rumours of his purported involvement in promoting Manmath’s candidacy.
· Responding to his expulsion, Routray mounted a staunch defense of his unwavering loyalty to the Congress, vowing to remain steadfast in his commitment to the party’s ideals and principles.
· However, his expulsion serves as a poignant reminder of the internal strife and fractious dynamics plaguing the Congress party in Odisha.
In a significant development shaking the political landscape of Odisha, the Congress party has wielded the disciplinary axe against one of its stalwart members, Jatni MLA Suresh Kumar Routray, ousting him from the party for a duration of six years. The decision, attributed to charges of indiscipline and engaging in activities detrimental to the party’s interests, marks a decisive stance by the Congress leadership in response to internal dissent and alleged defection.
The expulsion order, endorsed by All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary KC Venugopal, comes amidst a tumultuous period for the party, triggered by the departure of Routray’s son, Manmath, who opted to join the ranks of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections from the coveted Bhubaneswar constituency on a BJD ticket. The younger Routray’s defection and subsequent electoral aspirations sparked speculation and raised eyebrows within the Congress ranks, amplifying concerns over potential factionalism and disunity.
Routray’s abrupt resignation from all poll-related committees within the Congress fold following his son’s political pivot intensified scrutiny and fueled rumours of his purported involvement in promoting Manmath’s candidacy, even across party lines. Reports circulating within political circles suggested that Routray had been spotted sharing platforms with BJD leaders and, in a widely circulated video, lavishing praise upon Susant Rout, a BJD MLA, further exacerbating tensions within the Congress hierarchy.
Responding to his expulsion, Routray mounted a staunch defense of his unwavering loyalty to the Congress, vowing to remain steadfast in his commitment to the party’s ideals and principles. Dismissing allegations of anti-party activities as baseless and unfounded, Routray expressed his determination to seek redressal from the Congress high command, highlighting what he perceived as a selective application of disciplinary measures within the party ranks.
However, his expulsion serves as a poignant reminder of the internal strife and fractious dynamics plaguing the Congress party in Odisha, exposing the fault lines and challenges confronting its leadership as it grapples with the imperative of preserving unity and cohesion amidst mounting external pressures and electoral uncertainties. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the ramifications of Routray’s expulsion reverberate far beyond the confines of the Congress, shaping the contours of Odisha’s political narrative in the run-up to the impending elections.
(With inputs from agencies)
