Singh's Mahanadi statement evokes sharp response from BJD

The ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today reacted sharply to neighbouring BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh's reported statement over the Mahanadi river dispute.

Singh yesterday at Raigarh had reportedly said that nobody could stop his state from utilising Mahanadi water.

"The Chhattisgarh CM's statement is nothing but an indirect threat to the people of Odisha. His claims over Mahanadi water is unjustified, unconstitutional as well as against the spirit of federalism," BJD vice-president and Rajya Sabha MP Prasanna Acharya told reporters here at a press conference.

BJD activists burnt an effigy of Singh at the Master Canteen Square here.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on Mahanadi dispute on May 26 and Raman Singh's remark on May 29 has made it clear that the Centre and BJP ruled Chhattisgarh have made a conspiracy against the people of Odisha," Acharya said adding that the BJD will continue to fight against the "injustice".

Modi during his last Odisha visit had held the state government "responsible" for the Mahanadi dispute.

Odisha government has been opposing construction of projects on upstream of river Mahanadi.

Opposition BJP at a press conference countered the BJD's allegation and said that the state government has "utterly failed" to build any barrage on down stream of Mahanadi leading to water scarcity in Odisha.

BJP state spokesman Pitambaer Acharya said it is wrong to blame any one for the water scarcity while more than 50 per cent of water is being drained out to the sea.

"The state should go to the tribunal and Supreme Court fully prepared with all required documents instead of going for political campaigns," said BJP state vice-president Samir Mohanty.