Bhubaneswar: Following the footsteps of the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD), principal opposition Congress Wednesday announced to join the battle for Mahanadi.
Jharsuguda MLA and working president of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Naba Kishore Das Wednesday said his party will highlight the issue in every village, block and district of western Odisha, wherever the river flows through.
“Day by day the water flow in Mahanadi River is dwindling. In coming days, the situation will worsen. Due to construction of barrages by Chhattisgarh government on the river, our people, especially the farmers are facing a lot of problems. We will hold massive protest programmes in western Odisha,” Das told reporters here.
Stating the Congress will fight against Chhattisgarh government and Centre, he said, “We will fight against the BJD led state government too if it sits idle on this issue.”
Welcoming the move by Congress, BJD leader and Cabinet Minister Surya Narayan Patro said, “Both Chhattisgarh and Centre’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments have jointly hatched a conspiracy against Odisha over Mahanadi. During the non-monsoon period, Mahanadi water level declines drastically. Hence, two days ago, Chief Minister gave a clarion call.”
Notably, two days ago, BJD launched its second phase of protest for Mahanadi. At a party programme, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik attacked the BJP government at Chhattisgarh and Centre.
Commenting on this issue, BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said, “Now both Congress and BJD stand exposed. Congress is there to extend all possible support to BJD to fight against us and act as second-fiddle. So far as Mahanadi issue is concerned, the Union government has already constituted a tribunal and terms of reference (ToR) for the same have also been issued.”
Accusing the BJD and Congress of playing dirty politics over the issue, Sharma said, “Why has not the BJD-led state government constructed a single barrage on Mahanadi during their 17 year rule? They are staging a drama to hide their incapability.”
