Tabloid maligning Rout takes centrestage

BHUBANESWAR: Senior BJD leader Damodar Rout on Thursday demanded a probe by an Assembly committee into the circulation of defamatory literature.The literature in the form a tabloid titled ‘Swatantra Barta’ carrying a front page story on Rout’s alleged disproportionate assets was in circulation in the Assembly. The lead story also had some defamatory remarks against ruling party member and former minister Dabasis Nayak. “A criminal, who was released from the jail a couple of days ago, is distributing copies of the tabloid in my constituency,” he told the House adding, this is a deliberate attempt by his opponents to vilify him.He further said a bearded youth handed over a copy of the literature to him in the Assembly on August 22. The newspaper then did not carry names of the printer, publisher and editor. Interestingly, the same newspaper which was in circulation on Thursday carried the printer’s line and the editor of the tabloid is a journalist working in a Oriya daily managed by a very influential person, he said.The former minister, who is in the news for his spat with Revenue Minister Surya Narayan Patro on the floor of the House, said the report carried on him was not only distasteful but derogatory. Even his father was not spared, he said.A visibly upset Nayak also demanded action against those who indulged in launching such malicious campaign against members of the Assembly. He and Rout sought security from Speaker Pradip Amat.The Speaker directed the Assembly security to seize the literature in circulation and ensure that such things are not repeated in future.The issue cropped up during zero hour when Bishnu Das, an arch rival of Rout, drew the attention of the Speaker to the report  published in ‘Swatantra Barta’ bringing serious allegations against a senior member of the House. Since the tabloid had attempted to defame Rout, he demanded that a privilege motion should be brought against the newspaper.Responding to Das, Rout said now it is clear as to who is behind the circulation of the literature.The Speaker asked Das to give it in writing and then he will consider it.