February 25th 2025.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has raised concerns about the controversial Polavaram dam project in Andhra Pradesh and is urging for clarification from both the central government and Odisha's Chief Minister, Mohan Charan Majhi. The party has also pledged their support for a mass protest against the project on February 28.
Debi Prasad Mishra, the chairman of BJD's coordination and activities committee, has stated that the affected people of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Andhra Pradesh have come together under the Polavaram Joint Coordination Committee to launch a major agitation against the project. Mishra emphasized the BJD's involvement in this movement and also mentioned that they have invited their president and former Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, to attend the protest rally at Motu in Malkangiri district.
However, the final decision on Patnaik's visit is yet to be made, and Mishra added that if he is unable to attend, Patnaik will address the gathering virtually. The BJD has extended their support to the agitation against the Polavaram dam project, as it is expected to have a severe impact on the people of Motu and Padia blocks in Malkangiri district. Party leaders have alleged that 12 gram panchayats in the area will be submerged in the backwaters of the project.
When questioned about BJD's stance on the project, Mishra explained that Patnaik has been opposing it since 2007, when it was discovered that the dam's design had been altered without considering the interests of the tribal communities. Mishra also pointed out that the BJP government has sanctioned a significant amount of Rs 17,000 crore for the project's completion, which has compelled the BJD to raise their voice against it. He further questioned how the project could proceed despite violating several norms set by the Central Water Commission, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Mishra clarified that the BJD is not entirely against the dam project itself, but rather the changes made to its original design. He explained that the current construction is based on a water discharge capacity of 50 lakh cusecs, which is higher than the agreed capacity of 36 lakh cusecs. The BJD leader also expressed surprise over the silence of the Odisha government and the 22 BJP MPs from the state on this issue.
Bhrugu Baxipatra, another BJD leader, alleged that the BJP governments at the Centre and in Odisha are deliberately remaining silent on the project to please their NDA ally, the ruling Telugu Desam Party. Meanwhile, the Congress, despite also opposing the project, has decided not to participate in the February 28 demonstration. Ramachandra Kadam, the leader of Congress Legislative Party, stated that they are against the project and will stage protests on the streets, but not alongside the BJD. Kadam also criticized Patnaik for not taking any action against the project during his 24-year tenure as Chief Minister and accused him of making meaningless noise now that he has lost power.
Kadam also demanded a response from Majhi, questioning his silence on the issue. He pointed out that Odisha has a tribal Chief Minister, yet many tribal villages will be submerged by the Polavaram project. Kadam urged Majhi to clarify whether he stands with Odisha's tribals or is following Modi's appeasement policy.
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