leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Narasingha Mishra on Thursday severely criticised Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for stating people that construction of barrages and dams upstream the Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh was not in his Government’s knowledge.
“Construction of projects over Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh was in the very knowledge of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and his Government. He had replied to an Adjournment Motion brought by the then MlA Ashok Das in this regard on April 10, 2001. He had then assured the House that he would never let the Chhattisgarh Government construct the proposed projects while informing that he had already talked to the then Union Water Resources Minister. But now, he is telling that his Government didn’t know about all this and come out with vigour to fight the issue ‘till his last breath’,” Mishra told a Press conference here.
He said the Government has no intention to protest interest of the people and is doing cheap politics now by hoodwinking people by telling lies. “When we all political parties have been united on the Mahanadi issue forgetting our differences, the ruling party is trying to gain political mileage. Unless we all rise above political lines and fight together, the issue will remain unresolved,” said Mishra.
Further informing that various political parties and organisation have already provided proofs that the barrage constructions in Chhattisgarh was in the knowledge of the Odisha Government, Mishra called upon people not to believe the Naveen Patnaik Government anymore and urged upon all political parties and social organisations to unite to fight for rights of Odisha people over the Mahanadi waters.
Mishra too informed that a non-political committee has been formed to suggest the all-party committee for steps to be taken on the issue.