We are fighting for life of Mahanadi: Naveen

Bhubaneswar: BJD president and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday came down heavily on BJP leaders for adopting double standard over the Mahanadi water dispute.

Addressing the public at the valedictory programme of BJD’s Mahanadi Surakhsha Abhiyan at Paradip, Patnaik said, “We are not fighting just for water, we are fighting for the life of Mahanadi.”

He said the BJP leaders are simply shedding crocodile tears over Mahanadi issue.

“It is very sad that the BJP government at Centre is silent over the issue. The BJP leaders in Odisha are shedding crocodile tears as they are supporting Chhattisgarh government’s work,” Patnaik said.

The people of Odisha have understood the BJP’s double standards, he said.

He informed that his government had to move the Supreme Court in a bid to get justice and formation of the demanded Mahanadi Tribunal.

Reacting to the allegations, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said Naveen Patnaik is showing double standard on Mahanadi issue.

While Naveen Patnaik being the Chief Minister of Odisha informed the state Assembly that the state is receiving sufficient water, Patnaik being the BJD president is speaking that Mahanadi will be dried up. It shows double standard of the ruling party, said Patra.