BJP MPs didn't oppose MMDR Act keeping Odisha's interests in mind: Aparajita Sarangi
BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi slams BJD and Congress for protesting the MMDR Amendment Act 2026, claiming it protects Odisha's interests.
In a sharp rebuttal to the ongoing political storm in Odisha, BJP Member of Parliament Aparajita Sarangi has defended the decision of her colleagues not to oppose the MMDR Amendment Act 2026 in Parliament. Addressing the recent wave of protests, Sarangi asserted that the legislation was crafted with the specific welfare and interests of the people of Odisha in mind.
A Call for Understanding Over Protest
The controversy erupted following a protest march in Bhubaneswar led by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), which demanded the immediate withdrawal of the new mining legislation. The BJD and Congress have alleged that the Act undermines the state's authority over its vast mineral resources. However, Sarangi suggested that the opposition is rooted in a lack of comprehension regarding the law's actual provisions.
"I would like to humbly request BJD and Congress to read and understand the MMDR Amendment Act 2026, which has been passed by Parliament, and then argue on it," Sarangi stated. She further noted that there seems to be a "serious absence of patience" among critics to grasp the necessary background and context of the legislative changes.
Defending the BJP's Stance in Parliament
One of the most pointed criticisms leveled by the BJD was directed at the 20 BJP and Congress MPs from Odisha, questioning why they did not stand against the bill in the Parliament. Sarangi expressed her surprise at this line of questioning, clarifying the party's position:
- Protecting State Interests: Sarangi maintained that BJP MPs did not oppose the Act because they are confident it safeguards Odisha's benefits.
- Commitment to the People: She emphasized that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government remains committed to ensuring that the interests of the country's citizens are never ignored.
The BJD's Allegations of Revenue Loss
The tension in Odisha stems from deep-seated concerns over mineral wealth and constitutional rights. BJD leader Sujata Rout Karthikeyan has been vocal in her criticism, claiming that the implementation of the MMDR Amendment Act 2026 will result in a massive loss of revenue for the state.
Karthikeyan argued that the ability to tax mineral wealth is a constitutional right essential for the development of Odisha. She highlighted the long legal battle fought by the BJD, noting that the party had been fighting for these rights in court for two decades, a struggle she claims was validated by a recent Supreme Court decision involving a nine-member constitutional bench.
The BJD has accused the BJP MPs from the state of "doing injustice to Odisha" by supporting the bill, setting the stage for a prolonged political confrontation over the control and taxation of the state's mineral resources.