Ex-Odisha leader Damodar Rout steps into BJP

Former Odisha Minister Damodar Rout, who was expelled from BJD last year, joined BJP here on Thursday. Rout joined BJP in the presence of Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP vice-president Baijayant Panda among others.

Pradhan said that his joining will strengthen the party in Odisha. Rout was expelled from BJD for repeatedly making allegations of financial irregularities in some of state government departments in September last year.