BJD Forms Team To Review Polavaram Impact On Odisha; Political Stunt, Retorts BJP

Bhubaneswar: Politics over Polavaram Dam project in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh is gathering momentum in Odisha with the Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) aiming to kill two birds with one stone by sending a special team to review its impact in tribal-dominated Malkangiri district.

The team formed by BJD president Naveen Patnaik will visit the areas, which are likely to be affected by the project, on August 8. Former minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak will head the team, which also includes Devi Prasad Mishra, Pradeep Majhi, Bhrugu Baxipatra and local leaders from Malkangiri district. It is expected to submit a report to the party supremo after reviewing the ground situation.

“The members will visit Motu, Padia and other likely-to-be affected areas in Malkangiri district. The BJP has dealt a blow to Odisha after coming to power at the Centre and the state by granting funds for completion of Polavaram and according National project status to it,” Majhi told reporters.

He added that the regional party will put up a good fight against the project, which is likely to inundate about 1400 hectare to 1500 hectare of land in Malkangiri district, and safeguard the interest of the people there.

In his reaction to the Union Budget, Naveen had earlier slammed the Narendra Modi-led NDA of granting more funds for Polavaram without sorting out the genuine grievances of Odisha.

Congress MLA Sofia Firdous, however, blamed both BJD and BJP for the impending problem. “Instead of visiting the spot, they (BJD) should work to stop the project. The regional party kept the issue hanging while being in power for 24 years. The BJP’s double engine government can also take steps in this direction by holding discussions with the TDP-led Andhra government, which is their coalition partner, if it wants,” she said.

The Congress had earlier created ruckus in Odisha Assembly, demanding formation of a House Committee on Polavaram Dam project to discuss its impact on tribal people in Malkangiri district. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Rama Chandra Kadam also blamed the Centre for “promoting the irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh without resolving the problems of the affected people in Odisha.”

Responding to this development, BJP MLA Babu Singh said the BJD is trying to pull off a political stunt to mislead people of the state. “The party was in power for 24 hours and could have impressed upon the Centre to look into Odisha’s concerns. Discussions could have led to some solution. The BJD never raised issues of state’s interests then. Taking it up while in the Opposition is certainly laughable,” he said.

After the recent drubbing in both Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, the BJD will be hoping to earn back the trust of the people by raising their voice over the issue while simultaneously targeting BJP government both at the Centre and the state.