Odisha MP Suresh Routray resigns after son joins BJD

The 80-year-old leader said he would remain in Congress until the end of his life. (document)

Bhubaneswar:

Six-time Odisha MP Suresh Routray resigned from all committees of the party on Wednesday, soon after his younger son Manmath Routray joined the ruling party of BJD and was appointed as candidate from the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha constituency.

Suresh Routray, MP from Jatani, wrote to Odisha Congress Committee (OPCC) president Sarat Pattanayak, mentioning that since his son joined Since the BJD, he wants to quit the party’s election committee and campaign committee.

The veteran party leader said in the letter: “My son Manmath Routray has joined the BJD against my wishes. This hurts me. Therefore, I am willing to tender my resignation to all committees of the party .”

However, the 80-year-old leader said he would remain in Congress until the end of his life.

Suresh Routray said: “I may pray for my son’s victory but will not campaign for Manmath Routray. I have appealed to my supporters to support me son, make sure he wins, no matter which party he belongs to.”

Earlier in the day, former commercial pilot Manmath Routray marched to BJD headquarters Sankha Bhawan along with his supporters. He was recommended to the party by MPs Manas Mangaraj and Sasmit Patra.

He said, “I will work for the ideologies of my father and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Both leaders have only one agenda in life and that is development. I will work for the development of Odisha .”

Manmath Routray resigned as an Air India pilot in January.

He said: “My father wanted me to join the Congress, but I decided to start my political journey under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik.” Manmath Routray’s elder brother Siddharth Raoutray also did not agree with him joining the BJD against his father’s wishes.

Siddharth Raoutray said: “My brother has ruined the image that my father had built over the past six years as a Congress leader. To create an image as my father has done throughout his life. It’s very difficult to project an image of selflessness.”

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