Mahanadi row: Odisha MPs protest at Parliament, condemn Centre’s inaction

New Delhi: The agitation over Mahanadi water dispute intensified today with 21 MPs of Odisha staging protest near Mahatma Gandhi statue on Parliament premises here today.

The protest was staged by 20 MPs of BJD and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ranjib Biswal condemning the inaction of the Union Government in the matter and demanding setting up of a tribunal.

Holding placards during the protest, they also alleged that the Central government and Chhattisgarh government are not paying any heed to the demands of Odisha.

The Chhattisgarh government should be immediately directed to stop construction of barrages upstream of Mahanadi, they said.

Later, as soon as the House assembled, 11 MPs of BJD created ruckus near the Speaker’s podium demanding discussion over the Mahanadi issue. The parliamentarians went back to their respective seats after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan assured them of discussion during Zero Hour.

BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahatab reiterated the demands during Zero Hour.

On the other hand, the five-day long Satyagraha at Jantar Mantar here by ‘Agami Odisha’, a socio-cultural outfit, entered its third day today.