Chief Minster Naveen Patnaiks Flags off Mahanadi Surakhya Sachetana Abhiyan from Jharsuguda

Jharsuguda: Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik slammed Bharatiya Janta Party Odisha Unit for supporting the Chhattisgarh’s barrage project built over the Mahanadi and are shedding crocodile tears on the long-standing issue.

Addressing a public meeting after launching of Mahanadi Surakhya Abhiyan at Sukhasoda village under Lakahanpur Block in�Jharsuguda district, Patnaik said, � Mahanadi is a lifeline for Odisha and it is our mother. We cannot imagine the survival of people of Odisha without Mahanadi, both Centre and Odisha��BJP leaders are supporting Chhattisgarh for its projects on Mahanadi and after visiting Odisha, they are shedding crocodile tears. Both the Centre and the BJP Chhattisgarh are adopting the anti-Odisha policy.�

If BJP leaders of Odisha have sympathy for people of the State, they should oppose to the neighbouring Chhattisgarh government for the projects,� Patnaik stated.

“BJD had gone to Supreme court and after the demand,��Mahanadi Tribunal has been formed. In the rainy season,��there is no issue but due to the construction of barrage by the Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi remains dry in other seasons. Even the water in Hirakud Dam has also been declining.”

“Some leaders who are saying that barrage construction will solve the problem. But in reality barrages will only store water and the issue cannot be resolved. Those who are making such statements are observing a double standard policy. For the benefit of farmers state Government has built many lift irrigation projects on Mahanadi and in coming days also these projects will be done. Simultaneously at some place barrages will also be constructed. We will not allow Mahanadi to dry, as this fight is not only for BJD but it is the fight of people of Odisha,� he added.

Later, the Chief Minister went to Chikhili in Bargarh district on the other side of Mahanadi to attend the launch programme of Mahanadi Surakhya Yatra.

The BJD�s second phase agitation will continue for around a fortnight and culminate in Paradip after crossing 15 districts.

“To create awareness about Mahanadi Surakhya Abhiyan, we have taken several initiatives. We are distributing booklets and leaflets in every village of all the 15 districts of Odisha. Even, we are organizing a bike rally from one constituency to other. After covering all the 45 constituencies of 15 districts and the campaign will end at Paradip.” said Sanjit Mohanty, State working President, Biju Yuva Janta��Dal