BJD’s ‘save Mahanadi campaign’ from May 16

The ruling Biju Janata Dal on Wednesday announced the launch of its Mahanadi Suraksha Abhiyan to create awareness about threat to 15 districts of the State by construction of barrages by the Chhattisgarh government.

The campaign will be launched in the districts of Bargarh and Jharsuguda by Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on May 16, senior party leaders announced at a press conference here.

A series of padyatras, public meetings and cultural programmes will be organised in all blocks and towns in as many as 45 Assembly constituencies spread over 15 districts of the State during the campaign.

The Chief Minister will also join the meeting at Paradip where the campaign will conclude, said BJD vice-president and Rajya Sabha Member Prasanna Acharya.

Thousands of farmers, fishermen and people from all sections of society will take part in the campaign, Mr. Acharya added, while urging the people to take part in the save Mahanadi campaign.

Centre slammed

At a workshop organised by the BJD to discuss the Mahanadi water dispute last month, the Chief Minister had slammed the Centre and Chhattisgarh government for choking the water flow into Odisha and called upon the party workers to take the issue to the people.

The BJD had organised campaign in the past after the State government opposed construction of barrages over the Mahanadi by the Chhattisgarh government in 2016.