Dama invites Bijoy Mohapatra, Dilip Ray to join him

BHUBANESWAR: A day after Bijoy Mohapatra and Dilip Ray resigned from the BJP, former minister Damodar Rout on Saturday suggested that they team up with him.

Damodar, who had been expelled by the BJD and who formed a new political party, the Biju Samata Kranti Dal, last month, said, "They should join me and fight against rising corruption, misrule and dynasty politics and bring transformation." On speculations that the two may be returning to the BJD, Damodar said, "They should not be tempted by political positions and lose their self-esteem."

Bijoy responded to the offer saying that Damodar has not spoken to him. He refused to elaborate on whether joining ranks with Damodar was an option for him. "As I have said earlier, we will decide on the next course of action within 15 days after Dilip returns from abroad," said Bijoy.

After resigning from the assembly and the BJP on Friday, Dilip left for the US on a personal visit.

Reacting to the resignation of two of their leaders from the party, state BJP president Basanta Panda on Saturday said the resignation of any party colleague gives one 'temporary pain', but would not cause 'any long term loss to party'. "BJP is not a family-based party and never does dynasty politics unlike most others. That is why individuals quitting the party would not make much of a difference," Panda said.

BJD MLA and spokesperson Samir Ranjan Dash said chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik would take a call if Bijoy and Dilip show interest to join the party.