Bhubaneswar, 28 September (H.S.) : Amid fresh uproar in the Odisha Assembly during Zero Hour over the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) intensified its protest at Gandhi Marg (Lower PMG) here on Monday, demanding withdrawal of the legislation.

The Assembly was adjourned till 4 pm following the disruption. BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik joined the party’s protest march and addressed the gathering.

Patnaik said the agitation was aimed at protecting Odisha’s interests and the rights of its 4.5 crore people. He said the MMDR Amendment Bill was not an ordinary legislation as it was directly linked to the rights of the state and its mineral resources.

“We have gathered here in the interest of Odisha and for the rights of 4.5 crore Odias. We are fighting this battle for the future of our Gen Z,” Patnaik said.

He alleged that the legislation was passed in Parliament without adequate discussion and questioned the role of the state’s BJP MPs. “Sadly, such an important bill was passed in Parliament without discussion. And our 20 BJP MPs remained silent — in whose interest? The Odisha government also remained silent. Out of fear of whom?” he said.

Patnaik said he had earlier written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi seeking a special session of the Assembly, but received no response. He added that he subsequently urged the Chief Minister to bring a resolution opposing the MMDR Amendment Act, but again received no response.

The BJD president further alleged that Odisha could suffer losses running into thousands of crores of rupees every year because of the legislation. He questioned the state government's silence on the issue and said political positions should not take precedence over the interests of Odisha.

“No party can ever be bigger than this soil. The chair is there today, it will not be there tomorrow. But if you betray this soil, you will be condemned forever. Gen Z will not forgive you. The people of Odisha will not forgive you,” Patnaik said.

Concluding his address, Patnaik vowed to continue the fight for Odisha’s rights and appealed to all political parties to join the campaign.

“I will fight for Odisha’s rights till my last breath. My request to all parties is to join this fight. Come, let us unite for this soil. Let us resolve. We will not allow the MMDR Amendment Act to be implemented in Odisha. We will fight. We will bring back our rights,” he said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda