Bhubaneswar: Even though the hearing of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal has begun the Centre is yet to make its stance clear on the issue.
While the Centre had only enclosed the copy of the petition filed along with the reference letter to the tribunal, BJD has raised objection over the lack of clarity on illegal constructions and unilateral regulation of water flow of Mahanadi by the Chhattisgarh government.
BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb accused the Centre of remaining mum on the issue as elections in Chhattisgarh are scheduled to take place in November.
"From the reference letter it is clear that when Supreme Court directed to form a tribunal, the Centre remained silent on the issue. The Centre was supposed to come forward and support the side which is not getting justice in a federal structure, but it didn't," Deb said.
Responding to BJD's allegations, BJP General Secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said "BJD is trying to gain political mileage out of the issue which is evident from the statement that they have made."
The tribunal constituted to resolve the Mahanadi water-sharing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh had commenced its hearing on October 13.
The opponents can file response to the application by December 1 and in case of a rejoinder, applications can be filed before December 14, 2018.
The next hearing of the case is scheduled to take place on December 15.