Bolangir, Feb 9: Today Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh, visited Odisha and said that he has come here to clear the air on Mahanadi row, that is, he is here to tell the truth as a fellow neighbour, not as a chief minister. While addressing a gathering at Burda here, as a star campaigner for BJP’s panchayat poll campaign, Singh stated, as a neighbour, it’s his duty to sort out the misunderstanding. He claimed 82% of the Mahanadi river water drains into the sea. While Odisha utilises 13% of the Mahanadi water, Chhattisgarh gets only 4%. As so much of water flows into the Mahanadi, the Hirakud Dam can easily get the full capacity that to for five times. Besides, pitching for his party at the meeting, Singh said, The Mahanadi row will not exist if BJP comes to power in Odisha. Singh arrived at Burda at noon and he along with other state BJP leaders including KV Singhdeo went straight to the meeting place. It’s stated that Singh would also campaign at the BJP panchayat poll campaign at Kandheikela in Jharsuguda and Subdega in Sundargarh.
To oppose this, Chhatra Congress led by Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra staged dharna ahead of the Loisingha block office nearby to the BJP’s meeting place at Burda here. Pamphlets protesting against the Chhattisgarh chief minister’s visit were distributed. On the other hand, the ruling BJD staged ‘Jal Satyagraha’ in Sambalpur with participation from MLA Raseswari Panigrahi opposing Singh’s visit. In Cuttack, the CMC mayor along with BJD activists including more than hundred women staged protest near the Biju Patnaik ghat on the banks of Mahanadi river.
