Bhubaneswar, 07 February (H.S.): Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Saturday questioned the Odisha BJP government’s commitment to protecting the Mahanadi river, alleging a lack of seriousness and accountability in pursuing the State’s case before the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal.

In a social media post, Patnaik said the Advocate General representing Odisha failed to appear at the tribunal hearing held earlier in the day on the long-pending Mahanadi water dispute. He questioned why the State’s interests were not defended at such a crucial hearing and asked what could have been more important than safeguarding the river’s future.

The former Chief Minister said the absence of the State’s top legal representative had dashed the hopes of the people of Odisha, who were closely watching the proceedings with great expectations. He alleged that the incident clearly reflected the State government’s lack of sincerity and commitment towards protecting the Mahanadi, accusing it of not taking the issue seriously and engaging only in “crocodile tears”.

Describing the Mahanadi as the lifeline of Odisha, Patnaik said the river sustains millions of farmers, fishermen and countless Odias, and any compromise on its protection would not be accepted by the people. He asserted that the Biju Janata Dal would intensify its fight, along with the people of Odisha, to safeguard the Mahanadi and the State’s rightful interests.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda