Raman Singh's statement on Mahanadi issue deplorable, says Pradhan

Senior BJP leader and Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan today condemned the statement of his party colleague and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on the Mahanadi water dispute with Odisha saying it is "deplorable".

During BJP's Vikas Yatra in his state on May 29, Singh had said that nobody can stop Chhattisgarh from utilising Mahanadi river water. He had also said the Odisha government was trying to politicise the issue.

"Raman Singh's remark on the Mahanadi issue is deplorable. The people here have been saying that Chhattisgarh has a committed mistake. I also admit it," Pradhan, who hails from Odisha, told reporters here.

Asked whether Chhattisgarh was right in constructing barrages on the Mahanadi upstream unilaterally, he said, "It is a mistake. The tribunal would take appropriate action for such acts."
On Pradhan condemning the Chhattisgarh chief minister, BJD spokesperson PK Deb said, "Finally Pradhan has said the truth."