Orissa ex-minister raises power centre issue

After maintaining silence for over a week, disgruntled BJD leader Damodar Rout today raised the issue of "real power centre" in the ruling party as well as the government in Orissa.

"Chief minister Naveen Patnaik is yet to make it clear that he is the only power centre and takes decision on his own," Rout, who was dropped from the council of ministers on May 9, told reporters.

Rout had earlier alleged that the chief minister was implementing agenda of party MP Pyari Mohan Mohapatra instead of taking his own decision.

"Pyari is the real power centre while Naveen only an executor," Rout had said surprising many in the ruling BJD.

Not taking the name of Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, Rout in a statement said: "The person who is working as the second power centre has also not yet denied the allegation made by me."

Rout said this while reacting to media reports that he remained silence after raising the issue due a "secret deal" with the power centre.

The five time minister Rout was also accused in media reports of striking a "deal" with the power centre in order to get back to the ministry.

"My self esteem is more important for me than power and position," Rout said, adding that he was a strong follower of late Biju Patnaik who had epitomised "self esteem".

On the second power centre, Rout said it was like cancer. "The second power centre in a regional party gives birth to corruption, nepotism, appeasement and anti-people activities," he said in the statement.