Political tensions in Odisha have reached a boiling point over the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) or MMDR Act, with the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) threatening aggressive economic and commercial blockades if the central amendments are not revoked.
Addressing a press conference, BJD MLA Arun Sahoo launched a scathing attack on the ruling dispensation, alleging that the amendments have stripped the state of its vital mineral rights and handed control over to the Centre. Sahoo claimed that Odisha has lost a staggering INR 1.20 lakh crore in dues between 2005 and 2026, pointing out that the Accountant General (AG) has warned of severe financial setbacks for the state.
The BJD further criticised Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for ignoring former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s letters urging a special assembly session and an all-party meeting to address the crisis. Questioning whether investors will continue coming to Odisha now that mineral power has shifted to New Delhi, Sahu warned that the party will escalate matters through statewide blockades via the Governor’s office if the law is not repealed.
BJP Retaliates: ‘BJD is Misleading the Public’
Hitting back hard at the opposition’s aggressive stance, senior BJP leader Amar Patnaik dismissed the BJD’s claims as a desperate bid for political mileage.
Patnaik accused the BJD of orchestrating a false narrative to confuse the public after ruling the state for 24 years, remarking that the party is merely crying foul out of political frustration. He asserted that an economic blockade by the BJD would only harm Odisha’s broader economic interests rather than protect them.
Defending the MMDR amendments, the BJP leader emphasised that while there might be short-term adjustments, the policy will yield long-term gains not just for Odisha, but for the entire nation. According to the BJP, the updated framework will stabilise taxes, attract a larger pool of industrialists and investors to participate in transparent auctions, and ultimately inject massive momentum into the state’s economy.
