The Mahanadi river dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh has been a contentious issue for several years. The river, which originates in Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal, is vital for both states.
In recent weeks, the issue has become a political battleground, with the BJD and the BJP trading accusations over the state government’s handling of river water. The BJP has accused Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of not doing enough to protect the interests of Odisha’s farmers, who rely on the river for irrigation.
The party claims that the state government has failed to take concrete steps to resolve the Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh. BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra accused the chief minister of being insincere in his efforts to resolve the issue and more interested in pleasing his political masters in Delhi.
In response, the BJD has defended its record on the issue and accused the BJP of politicizing it. The party claims that the state government has taken several steps to protect the interests of Odisha’s farmers, including setting up a Mahanadi Tribunal to resolve the dispute with Chhattisgarh.
BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra accused the BJP of trying to score political points by raising the Mahanadi issue and not doing enough to protect Odisha’s interests when it was in power at the center.
Meanwhile, the Congress has demanded the construction of another dam on the Mahanadi river to address the state’s water crisis. The party has accused both the BJD and the BJP of neglecting the needs of the people of Odisha and promised to take steps to address the state’s water crisis if elected.
Congress spokesperson Satya Prakash Nayak claimed that the people of Odisha are suffering due to the lack of water, and the state government has failed to provide them with adequate irrigation facilities. The Congress believes that the construction of another dam on the Mahanadi river will ensure that the farmers of Odisha have access to water.