Naveen Patnaik Questions Odisha Govt’s Sincerity As AG Skips Mahanadi Tribunal Hearing; Acharya & BJP Hit Back

Bhubaneswar: A fresh political controversy erupted in Odisha over the long-standing Mahanadi river water-sharing dispute with Chhattisgarh, after Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik accused the BJP-led state government of lacking sincerity and commitment to protect its “lifeline”.

In a strongly worded post on social media, the LoP highlighted the absence of Odisha’s Advocate General (AG) during a key hearing of the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal on February 7.

He questioned the government’s priorities, asking: “What could be more important than Mahanadi’s protection that the Advocate General, representing Odisha, was absent from the tribunal hearing?” He accused the BJP administration of showing no genuine sincerity or dedication, claiming they were merely shedding “crocodile tears” while treating the issue lightly.

Describing the Mahanadi as “our mother” and Odisha’s “lifeline”, Naveen emphasised its critical role in sustaining millions of farmers, fishermen, and people across the state. He firmly rejected any potential “compromise” or “surrender” on the river’s security and vowed that the BJD’s fight to save the Mahanadi would intensify with public participation.

This came as the tribunal, addressing the inter-state water row, rescheduled the hearing to March 14 following the February 7 session. It has also planned a spot visit to relevant sites between the last week of February and the first week of March. The tribunal’s current tenure is set to expire on April 13, 2026, and both Odisha and Chhattisgarh have jointly requested the Centre to extend it until March 27, 2027.

In a sharp rebuttal, AG Pitambar Acharya dismissed Naveen’s criticisms as “disappointing” and likened them to “sudden outbursts after waking from sleep.”

Acharya urged the former chief minister to introspect about his own tenure, claiming that during the BJD government’s seven years of involvement with the tribunal, the state’s legal team spent crores of rupees from the exchequer without achieving any tangible results.

He defended his absence at the February 7 hearing, clarifying that the proceedings were limited to the extension of the tribunal’s tenure and his personal presence was not required.

The AG asserted that since assuming office, he had actively participated in all significant hearings to protect Odisha’s interests. He credited Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s positive approach and central government intervention for opening pathways toward an amicable resolution between the two states.

The exchange soon intensified with both sides trading charges against the other.

Reacting to the Acharya’s social media post on Naveen’s remarks, BJD spokesperson Lenin Mohanty stated at a press briefing that the Advocate General ought to exercise restraint and refrain from passing casual remarks on a matter of such sensitivity.

Deputy Opposition Leader in the Assembly Prasanna Acharya accused the BJP of indulging in political opportunism. He claimed that the Odisha BJP government was placing its party agenda above the state’s well-being, and that the central government led by the BJP was choosing to stay silent.

Meanwhile, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said that the BJD government during its tenure did not oppose the construction of dams and barrages by the Chhattisgarh government. He noted that objections are being raised only now, after the projects have been completed, and affirmed that the present administration is making sincere efforts to address the dispute through bilateral discussions and the tribunal.