Justice To Odisha On Polavaram Led To BJP-TDP Split: Dharmendra

Koraput: In the wake of the Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh walking out of NDA, senior BJP leader and Union Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday claimed there would not have been any split with the TDP had his party done injustice to Odisha on Polavaram issue.

“Since BJP is aware that the condition of tribals of Koraput district would be miserable and large swatches of land would get inundated if the Polavaram multi-purpose project (on river Godavari) is implemented, the Centre had told the AP government to look into the matter and do the needful for the sake of these poor tribals of Odisha,” Pradhan told mediapersons here after visiting Kotia gram panchayat during his day-long visit to Koraput district.

Referring to the alleged trespassing by Andhra Pradesh into Kotia gram panchayat, he said Kotia will continue to remain an integral part of Odisha.

He said he would take up the matter relating to inclusive development of Kotia gram panchayat with the Odisha government.

“Apart from discussion with the state government, I will also request the concerned Union ministers to make specific provisions to enable the poor tribals of Kotia avail benefits of centrally-sponsored schemes,” Pradhan said, after visiting several areas, including schools and temples, in the Kotia gram panchayat. He also interacted with the people who apprised him of their difficulties.

Pradhan further said he would furnish a detailed report on his visit to Kotia gram panchayat to the Prime Minister.

To a question on the decision of the TDP to snap ties with the BJP, the Union minister said he has come to Koraput district to know about the socio-economic plight of the tribals of Kotia, not to discuss politics.

After completing his visit to Kotia, Pradhan went to Musaguda village, where he interacted with family members of the minor girl, who was allegedly gang raped inside a forest at Kunduli on October 10 last year and subsequently committed suicide on January 22 this year.

Talking to media persons, Pradhan said the state government is yet to nab the culprits although the incident occurred six months ago. “Instead of arresting the culprits, the state government has been harassing a local news channel for airing news and its scribes who have reported about the incident. This is an attempt to gag the media,” he maintained.

He further said the state government has paid a deaf ear to the demands of the family members of the victim for a CBI probe into the incident.

Criticising Pradhan’s visit to Kotia, BJD spokesperson Debi Prasad Mishra said the Union minister could remember Kotia after a long time. “The Odisha government is aware of the Kotia gram panchayat. The state administration and the people’s representatives have also visited this tribal village. Moreover, the revenue department has taken up a series of developmental works in this gram panchayat,” Mishra pointed out.

Referring to the statement of the Union minister on the Kunduli incident, he said only complaint on this matter has no meaning. “Everything would be known only after a breakthrough in the investigation is achieved,” he added.