BJD’s battle for Mahanadi begins May 16

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to create awareness among people about Mahanadi water dispute issue, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has decided to launch ‘Mahanadi Surakshya Abhiyaan’ in 45 assembly constituencies in 15 districts.
BJD vice-presidents Prasanna Acharya and Debi Prasad Mishra along with two other senior leaders of the party-Sanjay Das Burma and Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak told newsmen about the decision here Wednesday.
Acharya said they are going to kickoff the campaign May 16 simultaneously from Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district and Ambapana in Baragarh district, the points where the river enters into the state. The campaign will cover over 1,585 km along the river banks in 15 districts affected by Mahanadi and culminate at Paradip.
Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik will launch the programme in both the places and attend the concluding event in Paradip.
“The programme has been planned to apprise the people of Odisha about Chattisgarh’s arbitrary construction over Mahanadi”, he said.
“Farmers, fishermen, students, youths, women and public in general are expected to participate in large numbers in this programme,” Das Burma said. During its 15-day long campaign, the party will hold public meetings, street corner meetings, street play and cultural functions in villages and urban areas.
“Booklets and, leaflets will be distributed and audio-visual shows will also be held,” the BJD leader added.
According to sources, BJD is planning to make Mahanadi water dispute as one of the major issues for the upcoming general election and this programme will be a part of it.
Commenting on the BJD’ programme, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said the ruling party doesn’t want to resolve the issue and they are just trying to gain political mileage from it. “Before launching such programme, the BJD government should clarify how many barrages they have planned to construct in the lower part of Hirakud dam. They have failed to utilise 53 per cent of the Mahanadi water which as a result flushes into the sea,” the BJP leader said.