BJP, Congress target Naveen Patnaik govt over SC Vedanta verdict

BHUBANESWAR: Day after the Supreme Court verdict upholding the Orissa high court order against land allotment for Vedanta Group's university project in Puri district, the BJP and Congress on Thursday criticised the state government for trying to extend favour to a particular company.
While the Congress announced a six-day agitation to demand Naveen Patnaik's resignation, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said the apex court verdict has exposed the government, which had planned to extend largesse to a company by ignoring the interest of 6,000 families of farmers.
Addressing the media at the state BJP office, Sambit pointed out how land, through which two rivers flow and was located close to a sanctuary, was being given to a company in violation of norms. "This is a matter of serious concern," Sambit said, adding that the government should explain the basis on which such mindless action was taken. "The government has breached people's trust," he said.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Sarat Pattanayak said the verdict has indicted the government. "The chief minister has no moral right to continue. He must resign. We will hold state-wide agitation from April 15 to 20 to press for his ouster," Sarat said. The Congress leader said the government must explain why it tried to favour a particular company.
State revenue minister Pramila Mallik said it will be improper for her to comment on the SC verdict. "However, the opposition has a habit of criticising the government. All actions of the Naveen Patnaik government is guided by the principle of people's welfare," Pramila said.
Countering Sambit, BJD national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra said by questioning the state government on the land allotment to Vedanta, the BJP leader has brought state unit president Manmohan Samal's role under scanner.
Sasmit said during the time the government decided to allot land to Vedanta for the university project, Manmohan was state's revenue minister (2004 to 2008). The BJP and the BJD were coalition partners then. The project was approved between 2006 and 2007.
The BJD spokesperson said the university project was conceived by then higher education minister Samir Dey, who is also a BJP leader.
Sasmit said Sambit's statement could have been an attempt put Manmohan in an awkward position as a particular section in the BJP was not happy with him becoming the state BJP president.