BJP is looting Odisha’s mineral resources by prioritising the interests of capitalists: BJD

By Kalinga Voice Last updated Sep 1, 2026

Double-engine Government is undermining the economic rights of the State
BJP leaders are misleading the people of Odisha
A prosperous State will lead to a prosperous nation

Bhubaneswar, 31/08/2026: The Double-engine Government is attempting to loot Odisha’s mineral resources through the MMDR Amendment Act. The BJP, which came to power by invoking the cause of Odia Asmita, is misleading the people of Odisha. The Biju Janata Dal has strongly criticised the Double-engine Government for looting mineral-rich Odisha by giving priority to the interests of capitalists.

At a press conference organised at Sankha Bhawan today, former Minister and Vice-President of the party Shri Sanjay Das Burma and Biju Yuva Janata Dal President Shri Chinmay Sahu strongly condemned the Double-engine Government for working against the interests of the people of Odisha.

Shri Sanjay Das Burma said that this black law has hurt the sentiments of every Odia from the villages to Delhi. Legendary leader Biju Patnaik had said, “Give me economic freedom, and I will make Odisha a prosperous State in the Asian continent.” This was because he always thought about the interests of his motherland. But at present, BJP leaders have forgotten the interests of Odisha and are giving priority to the interests of the Centre.

The Double-engine Government has its greedy eyes on Odisha’s 480-km-long coastline, abundant mineral resources, forest resources, prosperity and human resources. Former Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik has fought many battles for the protection and development of Odisha’s resources. A prosperous State will lead to a prosperous nation. In a federal democracy, both the Central and State Governments have rights over the resources of the State. But the Central Government has unilaterally taken away that right.In 2011, under the chairmanship of former Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik, a political resolution was introduced and approved at the BJD Executive Committee meeting demanding 50 per cent financial autonomy for Odisha. But after a national party like the BJP came to power in Odisha, it has done injustice to the State and taken away its economic rights.

Shri Das Burma further said that approximately 48% of the total mineral resources of the country are stored in Odisha. Former Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik had taken several steps to make Odisha industrially prosperous and had brought in mining and industrial reform laws. After an 18-year legal battle, the Supreme Court in 2024 empowered the State Governments to collect revenue from mines and mineral resources. It had also stated that the outstanding dues would be paid by the mine owners.Through this black law, the Central Government has taken away the rights of the State. Advocate General Shri Pitambar Acharya had argued on behalf of the State Government that there would be no compromise on the State’s economic rights. But subsequently, the BJP’s position changed. For BJP leaders, the party has become more important than the soil of Odisha.The BJP’s 20 Lok Sabha MPs and 5 Rajya Sabha MPs supported this black law in Parliament. Odisha’s mineral resources were handed over to protect the interests of certain capitalists and mining businessmen. Despite all this, MP Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Shri Pradip Purohit and Shri Manmohan Samal are telling lies and misleading the people of Odisha.

Shri Chinmay Sahu said that on this issue, former Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik has written to the Chief Minister seeking a special session of the Legislative Assembly. He has also written to the BJP MPs urging them to come forward in the interest of Odisha. But the BJP is giving priority to party interests by forgetting the interests of the State.The Double-engine Government has brought this black law to benefit capitalists, industrialists and mine owners. Disregarding the directions of the Supreme Court, the Central Government is taking away the rights of the State and collecting revenue and outstanding taxes from mineral resources, which is undermining the federal system.

The people of Odisha will suffer from problems such as dust, pollution, displacement and other hardships, while Odisha’s mining revenue will be utilised for development works in other States. The BJD will fight for the rights of Odisha.Our future generations, Gen Z and Gen Alpha, have a right over Odisha’s mineral resources. Will the BJP Government leave behind only pollution for Gen Z and Gen Alpha as their legacy for the future?Odisha’s revenue going to other States will never be tolerated by the BJD. The BJD will continue its fight for the future of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. The BJP is disrespecting the federal constitutional system.At a time when Odisha is being neglected in every sphere, the silence of BJP MPs is highly condemnable. The people of Odisha will never tolerate the conspiracy that is underway to loot Odisha’s mineral resources. They will give an appropriate response at the right time.Until this black law is repealed, the BJD’s fight will continue.