BJP State president Basanta Panda on Thursday termed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s invitation to political parties and others for their opinions on the Mahanadi water dispute as an eyewash and drama.
“This is an afterthought of Naveen Patnaik to escape any blame of not heeding our suggestions to take all political parties into confidence on the Mahanadi issue in case the Government's stand on the dispute is found imperfect during the tripartite meeting in Delhi on September 17,” said Panda.
He said that if Patnaik sincerely wants suggestions, he should first put all the information relating to Mahanadi water available with it in public domain to counter the Chhattisgarh Government before inviting suggestions.
“After ignoring the opposition’s plea to hold an all-party meeting on the Mahanadi water dispute, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik now said that he is open to their suggestions. Patnaik Sir was forced to invite suggestions,” he remarked.
Alleging that the CM never wants a solution because the continued problems suit him politically, Panda urged the former to first put the information and factual position of the State on the Mahanadi in public domain.
He reiterated that his would soon publish a Whitepaper on the Mahanadi to expose the State Government’s role in the issue.