Bhubaneswar, June 2 : Continuing its protest to save Mahanadi river, considered as the lifeline of millions of people of Odisha, the ruling BJD Saturday announced its third phase of agitation in the state soon.
The party had already launched agitation in two phases to protest against the unilateral decision of the Chhatisgarh government to construct dams and barrages on the upstream of Mahanadi river affecting the livelihood of nearly 15 million people in the state.
Addressing newsmen here, BJD Vice-President Debi Prasad Mishra, Rajya Sabha MP Pratap Deb and party’s General Secretary Sanjaya Dasburma said the details of the third phase agitation will be soon decided at a party meeting.
The BJD leaders mounted a scathing attack on the BJP leaders in the state and also Union ministers for airing contradicting views in the public on Mahanadi and misleading the people
They said during the last two years at no point of time the BJP leaders and Union ministers have taken a clear stand on the issue.
BJP leader Debi Mishra said Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had in the past stated that the Mahanadi issue could be resolved by the Joint Control Board and not by a tribunal.
But after the tribunal was constituted he welcomed it, but said the matter should have been resolved through mutual discussion.The BJP leaders, Mishra said, have no concern, sincerity and commitment either for Mahandi or for Odisha.
Dasburma said the BJP had panicked after the party suffered a major jolt in recent byelections and making statements for its survival in the state.
The BJD General Secretary said if Chhatisgarh has committed a wrong then Pradhan should ask Raman Singh to immediately stop the illegal construction on the upstream of river Mahanadi, open the 65 gates of Kalam dam to ensure smooth flow of water in Mahanadi to Odisha during the non-monsoon period.