Bhubaneswar: Odisha Congress on Friday suspended Manmath Routray, the younger son of six-time MLA from Jatni Suresh Routray, for ‘gross violation of discipline’.
The suspension letter stated that though Manmath is a member of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC), he told the media that he doesn’t belong to the Indian National Congress. “You have clearly given statement in media that you are independent and you have no connection with any political party,” the letter read.
Moreover, the letter accused Manmath of saying that he is free to visit BJP and BJD offices. He was served a show cause notice on Wednesday but he didn’t bother to respond, the letter alleged. According to the OPCC, the Disciplinary Action Committee considers it to be a gross violation of discipline so he is suspended from the party.
Manmath told the media on Wednesday that he had taken the decision to not contest on a Congress ticket after consulting people of the Jatni constituency, who suggested that he should look at a long-term career in politics. Manmath further said that he would reveal the name of the party in October.
