The BJD has intensified its stir on the Mahanadi row. It has been organising protest meetings at various places and holding dharnas. Clearly, the protests are against the BJP-led Central Government and the BJP Government of Chhattisgarh.
On the contrary, the opposition parties in Odisha have cornered the BJD at the all-party meet which was held by the initiative of the leader of Opposition (loP) in Assembly Nrasingha Mishra.
The opposition parties vehemently criticised the Naveen Patnaik Government for remaining in dark over the projects on the Mahanadi upstream and protesting when most of the barrages are nearing their completion stage. Most importantly, the opposition parties have decided to send a memorandum to the President through the Governor, seeking direction from the Centre to the Chhattisgarh Government to stop all projects along the Mahanadi. Besides, it will also form a committee, comprising either all-party leaders or some experts, to study the implications of Chhattisgarh's projects on Odisha. The panel would also meet the Chief Ministers of both the States and the Prime Minister for an amicable solution.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Government ignoring the protests by the BJD has directed for expediting the completion of the barrages over the Mahanadi. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has added fuel to fire by saying that the BJD is politicising the issue ahead of the panchayat polls in Odisha early next year. Union Minister Uma Bharti also condemned the agitation and railroko by the BJD. She said that the BJD was neither concerned for the Chhattisgarh projects, nor interested in a solution.
The crucial point now is when the BJD is hard pressed in State by the Opposition, and the Centre and Chhattisgarh have taken a tough stand against the BJD hullabaloo, will the ruling party in Odisha be able to stop the barrages by the neighbour State all alone by just invoking the federal law and claiming to be leading a democratic stir on behalf of the four crore OdiasIJ BJD’s rival BJP, despite political differences with the Congress, attended the all-party meet called by senior Congress leader and loP Mishra. Since the Opposition has resolved to put up a united fight and in the event it succeeded in prevailing over the Central Government and Chhattisgarh for an amicable solution, all BJD’s activism over the emotional issue of the Mahanadi river might go up in smoke.