Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jul 7:

Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly Narasingha Mishra today condemned Chhattisgarh Government’s construction of dams on Mahanandi and said that he will write to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding an all-party meeting to discuss the issue.

NARASINGHA MISHRA

“There are no doubts that Odisha would be affected, if someone tries to stop the flow of water that is coming to the state through Mahanadi. Chhattisgarh Government had taken similar steps in the past and is going to do it again to stop the flow of water. It is our duty to oppose it. That is why, I condemn and oppose these steps of Chhattisgarh Government,” said Mishra speaking to reporters today.

“Today, I will write a letter to the Chief Minister requesting him to convene an all-party meeting to deliberate on this issue,” he added.

Odisha unit of BJP backed Mishra even though the party leads the government in Chhattisgarh.

“I agree with Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra. If the government really cares for the interest of Odisha, the Chief Minister should soon convene an all-party meeting instead of BJD MLAs meeting the governor or creating ruckus in the Assembly – as they did in the Polavaram issue,” said BJP MLA Pradip Purohit.

Senior BJP leader and Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, on the other hand, blamed incompetence of Odisha Government over the issue and advised both Chhattisgarh and Odisha government to form a ‘joint control board’ to sort out the differences.

Even though Biju Janata Dal Spokesperson Dibya Shankar Mishra did not comment on the all-party meeting demand, he sought cooperation from the opposition over the issue.

“It is important for everyone go come together to defend the interests of Odisha. The opposition has a key role to play and we would need their cooperation. If they come forward and offer cooperation, we would certainly welcome it,” said BJD’s Mishra.

It may be mentioned here that Naveen Patnaik on July 4 wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue and sought his immediate intervention.