Under criticism from party leaders over his alleged adverse remark against Odisha Assembly Speaker Niranjan Pujari, BJD leader Damodar Rout today sought to clarify that his comments were not against the Speaker.
"I just raised a point about why disciplinary action is not taken against the legislators who are showing disrespect to the Speaker and creating ruckus in the House," the BJD vice president and Cooperation and Excise Minister said.
"The Constitution has vested enormous power with the Speaker. He should take action against members who created a din in the Assembly," Rout said, adding that he has respect for the Speaker.
Rout alleged that the opposition parties are politicising his remark.
Leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress who had yesterday said that the government should change the Speaker if Rout felt that Pujari is not exercising his power.
"We came to know about Rout's statement from the media and used it as a weapon to attack the ruling party. Rout should analyse the statement he had given," Mishra said.
BJD MLA from Cuttack-Barabati Debasis Samantray criticised Rout and said, "The Speaker is running the House in proper manner.
