OPCC hopes for relief for Odisha in Mahanadi issue

Bhubaneswar: With Congress set to form the government in neigbouring Chhattisgarh, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee Tuesday expressed confidence that there could be some relief for the state on the Mahanadi water dispute. Chhattisgarh has been accused of constructing projects on the upstream of Mahanadi river and blocking the flow of water down stream to Odisha. Congress has all along stood by Odisha in the water dispute. 

The matter is now pending in a tribunal as Chhattishgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh refused to stop the construction activities in Mahanadi river. "We are extremely happy that Congress has got the historic mandate in Chhattishgarh. The BJP and BJD had pushed Odisha towards drought and hardship. With Congress in power in Chhattishgarh, we can be hopeful of some relief for Odisha on the Mahanadi issue," OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik said in a twitter post. Meanwhile, Congress supporters in Odisha were found to be upbeat over the Assembly election trends in the five states where counting is on today. 

Celebrations broke out in front of party headuarters here with bursting of firecrackers, distribution of sweets and dancing to the beat of drums. Congress leaders hoped that the trend would be repeated in Odisha where BJD has been in power since 2000. The state will have simultaneous election for its assembly and the Lok Sabha seats. Prime Minister Modi wanted a Congress-free country. He should see the condition of his party in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, where the BJP was in power. Now, the country is going to become a BJP-free nation, Patnaik said.