Keen to launch a bigger protest over the Mahanadi river barrage controversy, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has dropped its inhibitions to reach out to Congress, Trinamool, and Telangana Rashtriya Samithi in Parliament.
The BJD has turned hostile to the NDA government after the latter refused to form a tribunal to settle Odisha’s concern over Chhattisgarh’s construction of a barrage on the Mahanadi.
“We have spoken to Congress, Telangana Rashtriya Samithi, and Trinamool. All of them have understood the issue but we are waiting for their decision,” said Bhartuhari Mahtab, floor leader of BJD in the Lok Sabha.
Mahtab has opposed the introduction of the amendments to the Indian Forests Act that allows felling and transportation of bamboo grown in non-forest areas without the state’s permission.
The BJD maintained this legislation will help traders and not the poor who live in the vicinity of non-forest areas. The BJD, which earlier gave support to contentious bills, is gearing up to oppose upcoming key bills and policies.