BJD accuses BJP of diluting Odisha’s stance on Mahanadi and Kotia water disputes

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has publicly alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has undermined Odisha’s negotiating position in the long‑running disputes over the Mahanadi River and the Kotia project. The accusation was made in a statement released by senior BJD leaders, who said the BJP’s actions have eroded the state’s leverage in talks with neighboring states and central authorities.

The Mahanadi water sharing issue and the Kotia dam controversy have been focal points of inter‑state negotiations for years, with Odisha seeking a fair allocation of river water and timely clearance of the Kotia project. Any perceived weakening of the state’s stance could affect the outcome of these negotiations and the implementation of related development plans.

BJD officials urged the BJP to respect Odisha’s interests and called for a unified approach to safeguard the state’s rights. The party also noted that it had not received a response from the BJP on the matter, leaving the dispute unresolved at the political level.