Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced that Sambit Routray will be the Party’s candidate from Paradip Assembly Constituency. This shows why the Chief Minister is different from others when it comes to empathy and forgiveness. Though this has come as a big respite for Dr. Damodar Rout’s family in this difficult time, it’s an action every opponent of Naveen should envy.
This gesture of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik shows the difference between him and the disgruntled Dr. Damodar Rout. Although Dama Rout was dismissed from the party for antiparty activities, the CM has forgiven him. While Dama Rout has been vocal against Naveen after being sacked from the Biju Janata Dal, Naveen has kept his cool. The CM not only forgave him but also embraced his son Sambit Routray. This has come as a surprise to many as they thought Naveen would not give a ticket to Sambit because of father’s misdeeds.
Dr Damodar Rout is a senior leader but his uncalled for remarks on many issues led to his ouster from BJD. He was with the party for a long time. He was also associated with former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. But he was always in limelight for bad reasons. During his 19 years of political career with the BJD, he was sacked from the Minister’s post many times for similar reasons. Dama Rout is calling himself a disciple of Biju Babu, but joined the party to which Biju Babu kept at a distance because of its Hindutwa agenda.
After the ouster from BJD, Dama Rout not only shifted his allegiance to the Bharatiya Janata Party, but also became voracious in criticizing Naveen. He even said that his sole aim is to defeat Naveen at any cost in the coming elections.
Despite all this provocations, the Chief Minister kept his cool and did not utter a word against the former minister. He forgave is opponent. The announcement of ticket to Sambit Rouray comes at a time when the family is going through a difficult time. Only a few days back Dr Damodar Rout’s wife Snehalata died after prolonged illness. The Chief Minister went to his house to console the bereaved family. On this occasion, Dama Rout had told Naveen that after the death of his wife Snehalata, he is broken. He requested the Chief Minister to take care his son Sambit.
This action of Naveen has won the hearts of many. He has shown that he is above criticism. He is with all during critical times.