Damodar Rout, a former Odisha minister and prominent leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), passed away in the early hours of Friday while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. Aged 82, Rout had been battling age-related ailments and suffered a cardiac arrest on March 18, leading to his hospitalization. Despite efforts to stabilize his condition, he was declared ‘brain dead,’ according to family sources.
Rout, a seven-time MLA, played an active role in electoral politics spanning from the 1970s to 2019. He held positions in the Cabinets of both Naveen Patnaik and his father, Biju Patnaik. Throughout his career, he found himself embroiled in controversies, often causing discomfort for the government and facing disciplinary measures as a result.
Having been elected to the state Assembly five times from Ersama and twice from Paradeep, both in Jagatsinghpur district, Rout faced expulsion from the BJD in September 2018 due to “anti-party” activities. However, his expulsion was later revoked in January of the following year during his period of medical treatment, citing “sympathy grounds.”
Subsequent to his dismissal from the BJD, the veteran leader joined the BJP shortly before the 2019 polls. He also contested the 2019 Assembly elections on a BJP ticket from the Balikuda-Ersama constituency, while simultaneously, the BJD nominated his son, Sambit Routray, as his replacement from the neighboring Paradeep constituency.
Following the 2019 elections, while Rout’s son emerged victorious, the veteran leader secured third place in the Balikuda-Ersama constituency, where the BJD candidate emerged triumphant. In the months that followed, Rout resigned from the BJP, citing lack of involvement in party activities as his reason.
Originally a veterinary doctor by profession, Rout entered politics in the 1970s, citing Biju Patnaik as his inspiration. He embarked on his political journey by winning a seat in the Odisha Assembly in 1977 on a Janata Party ticket, followed by a victory in 1980 as a nominee of the Janata Party (Secular), and later in 1990 as a candidate of the Janata Dal. He subsequently became a BJD legislator in 2000. Notably, he transitioned his constituency from Balikuda-Ersama to the port town of Paradeep in 2009.
In May 2011, Rout faced removal from the Cabinet after making a casteist slur directed at certain BJD leaders from Scheduled Caste communities and a senior district official during a meeting in August 2010. Subsequently, a case was filed against him for his remarks. However, he was reinstated into the Cabinet a year later.
Then, in December 2017, Rout was once again dismissed from the Cabinet, this time for making derogatory remarks against the Brahmin community during a meeting held in Malkangiri.
In 2017, Rout sparked controversy by questioning the contributions of Jayee Rajguru, widely hailed as Odisha’s first freedom fighter, to the freedom struggle. This drew criticism from multiple quarters. Additionally, he confronted the BJD government over objectionable remarks directed at Anganwadi workers and the family members of a farmer who reportedly died by suicide in Bargarh district in November 2017, putting the government under scrutiny.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik extended his condolences following Rout’s passing. In a post on X, Patnaik stated that Rout’s death is a significant loss to Odisha politics, highlighting his contributions to the service and development of the people, which will be remembered fondly.
