Bhubaneswar: Couple of months after being expelled from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Paradip MLA and former minister Damodar Rout today announced formation of a new party namely 'Biju Samata Kranti Dal'.

Announcing the party's name at a presser here, Rout criticised the BJD-led state government. Among others, former MP and founder of Samata Kranti Dal, Braja Kishore Tripathy and Odisha Jana Morcha (OJM) chief Jagneswar Babu were present on the occasion.

"While the ruling party has become corrupt, the Biju Samata Kranti Dal will preserve and promote the ideologies and principles of former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik," Rout said.

Floating of a new party by Rout holds significance in Odisha politics ahead of the Assembly Elections in the state next year. The veteran politician had earlier hinted about the formation a new party after the name of Biju Patnaik.

Rout was expelled from BJD on September 12 for his alleged ‘anti-party’ activities. He was accused of making anti-party statements by alleging irregularities in sapling plantation, procurement of polythene sheets for Orissa State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited, cooperative banks and the health sector.