BJD raking up Mahanadi issue to hoodwink people: BJP

Jharsuguda: The BJP today alleged that the ruling BJD government is trying to rake up Mahanadi issue only to hoodwink the people of Odisha.

“The chief minister is aware of the construction of projects in the upper catchments of Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh. I had raised the issue in the State Assembly in 2014. Though he is in charge of the Water Resources, he is trying to fool the people of the state with false assurance for which he should apologise,” Brajarajnagar BJP MLA Radharani Panda told media persons at a press briefing here.

She said instead of misleading the people on such contentious and sensitive issue, the BJD should immediately convene an all-party meeting to solve the problems of the people and give them their legitimate rights.

Terming the statement of Panda as grossly unfortunate, Jharsuguda District BJD president Kishore Mohanty said nothing can be said right now about the future of Mahanadi. But the attitude of the Jharsuguda District BJD gives a clear indication that it is no mood to stage a concerted fight to claim the rights of Odisha on Mahanadi water.

“I was one of the members in the BJD delegation which had gone to Chhattisgarh to have an on-the-spot assessment of the barrages and dams built on upper Mahanadi. As an eyewitness, I can say these projects would pose serious impact on Odisha in the coming days,” Mohanty pointed out.