Naveen Alleges Lack of Sincerity by BJP Govt over Mahanadi

Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has accused the BJP-led Odisha government of lacking sincerity in safeguarding the Mahanadi river, pointing to the absence of the state’s Advocate General from a key hearing of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal.

In a strongly worded post on X, Naveen questioned the government’s commitment and preparedness in pursuing Odisha’s interests before the tribunal. He said people of the state, who had pinned high hopes on the proceedings, were left disappointed.

“What is the BJP government’s sincerity in saving the Mahanadi? Odisha’s Advocate General, representing the state, was absent from today’s hearing in the Tribunal on the Mahanadi dispute. Was there some such crucial work related to Mahanadi’s protection that he could not be present to argue Odisha’s case?” he wrote.

The BJD supremo alleged that the government was treating the matter casually and accused it of “shedding crocodile tears” instead of taking concrete steps.

Calling the Mahanadi the “lifeline” and “mother” of Odisha, Naveen said lakhs of farmers, fishermen and residents depend on its waters and asserted that the people of the state would never accept any compromise on its protection.

He added that the BJD’s movement to safeguard the river would intensify further.