BJD creates ruckus in Odisha Assembly on Mahanadi issue

The second phase of Odisha Assembly's budget session began on a stormy note on Wednesday as the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) members created a ruckus over Mahanadi water dispute with Chhattisgarh.

The Speaker adjourned the House till 3 p.m. as the BJD members continued their sloganeering, accusing the Centre of being biased towards Chhattisgarh on the Mahanadi issue.

As the House assembled for Question Hour, BJD legislators raised slogans accusing the Centre of delaying the process of setting up a tribunal to resolve the dispute.

Later, the BJD members staged a dharna near the Mahatma Gandhi statue inside the assembly premises holding aloft banners.

"While the union cabinet has approved the setting up of a tribunal to resolve the Mahanadi issue, it has now called a meeting to discuss the water dispute. The Central government is showing double standards on the issue.

"The Centre is biased towards Chhattisgarh in the Mahanadi issue," said BJD MLA Samir Dash.

On the other hand, the opposition Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the ruling party for disrupting the house proceedings.

"It is shameful that the ruling party is disrupting the house. It is the responsibility of the ruling party to ensure smooth functioning of the house. Are they afraid of the opposition or rehearsing for future," asked Leader of Opposition Narasingh Mishra.

BJP MLA Pradeep Purohit said while the Mahanadi issue can be discussed in the House, the ruling party was playing cheap politics over the issue.

--IANS

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