The BJD on Wednesday severely criticised Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh for saying that his State would continue to get more water from the Mahanadi and the Central Water Commission (CWC) can’t even stop it.

“Raman Singh’s statement is not only misleading but also fallacious, unjustified, anti-federal and an expression of cheap politics. It is an indirect threat to residents of Odisha,” said BJD vice-president Prasanna Acharya and other leaders at a press meet here.

They also pointed out that the Union Government’s silence over construction of barrages upstream Mahanadi and the controversial speeches of Raman Singh and the Chhattisgarh Water Resources Minister indicate that the Centre supports the BJP Government at Chhattisgarh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s partial statement on Mahanadi issue also indicates that there has been big understanding between the Centre and the Chhattisgarh Government against Odisha’s interest vis-à-vis Mahanadi.

Stating that Odisha still abides by the agreement of water share between the then MP and Odisha from the Hirakud Dam at 40:60 and transferring of five MW electricity generated from the dam to MP, they wanted to know why would not abide by norms.

Refuting Singh’s claim that Chhattisgarh has 85-per cent catchment areas, the BJD leaders said the neighbouring State has 75,028 sqkm of catchment area (53.4%) where as Odsisha has 65, 935 sq km catchment area (46.6%).

“Nobody can deprive us of rights over Mahanadi as it is lifeline of our State,” Acharya said.

Meanwhile, BJP State spokesperson Pitambar Acharya said the BJD should now present facts before the Mahanadi tribunal and desist from doing politics over it.

“While the Centre called the State Government for a discussion many times, the latter avoided it each time. While the tribunal has already been formed, the BJD Government should not do politics over the matter.

The State Government should now present facts before the tribunal,” Pitambar Acharya said.