Manmohan Samal Defends Government’s Approach as BJD Escalates Campaign Over Mineral Revenue and State Rights
BHUBANESWAR | SEPTEMBER 28, 2026The MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 has emerged as one of the most politically contentious issues in Odisha, with the Opposition intensifying its campaign and the BJP-led state government facing growing questions over the possible financial implications of the new mining framework.The political pressure has become more visible during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Odisha Assembly. Repeated protests by the BJD and Congress over the legislation have disrupted House proceedings, while the government has acknowledged that it has not yet completed a quantified assessment of the law’s possible revenue impact on Odisha.Against this backdrop, BJP state president Manmohan Samal has challenged the Opposition’s strategy, arguing that political parties should not restrict their response to street protests.Samal said the Opposition should also provide constructive suggestions to the government and indicate what measures, in its view, could be taken to safeguard Odisha’s interests.Government faces questions over financial impactThe government’s position on the financial consequences of the amended MMDR framework has become a key part of the controversy.Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena told the Assembly that the state had not yet made a final assessment of the financial implications arising from Section 9D of the amended law. He said the impact would have to be examined in light of the operative provisions and the rules and conditions applicable to the legislation.That response has provided fresh ammunition to the Opposition, which is demanding greater clarity over Odisha’s mineral-related revenue and the consequences of the amendment.BJD takes the battle beyond the AssemblyThe BJD has turned the MMDR issue into a broader political campaign centred on Odisha’s mineral resources, state powers and potential revenue.Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has criticised the BJP MPs from Odisha for supporting the legislation in Parliament and has demanded that the state government seek a pause and a review of the amended framework.The BJD has also organised a mass protest in Bhubaneswar on September 28, with Patnaik scheduled to participate. The party has argued that the amendment could adversely affect Odisha’s financial interests and the state’s authority concerning mineral resources. These are BJD’s political claims and remain contested by the BJP.Manmohan Samal’s counterattackSamal’s intervention comes as the BJP seeks to shift the focus of the debate.Instead of accepting the Opposition’s framing of the issue, the BJP state president has argued that the democratic role of an Opposition includes proposing alternatives and participating in a search for solutions.His remarks come at a politically sensitive moment for the state government, with the MMDR controversy continuing to dominate Assembly proceedings and the Opposition preparing further mobilisation.BJP faces a two-level political challengeThe controversy is now operating on two fronts.Inside the Assembly, the government is dealing with repeated disruptions over the amendment. Outside the House, the BJD is attempting to turn the issue into a wider public campaign around Odisha’s mineral wealth and financial interests.At the same time, the government has not yet placed a final quantified figure on the possible financial effect of the amended law. That uncertainty has become one of the central points of the political confrontation.The result is a widening political battle in which the BJP government is being pressed to explain what the MMDR amendment means for Odisha’s revenue, what safeguards are available to the state and what position the state government intends to take going forward.For the ruling BJP, Manmohan Samal’s latest remarks indicate an attempt to answer the Opposition politically while keeping the debate focused on what it describes as constructive engagement. For the BJD, the continuing Assembly disruptions and statewide mobilisation show that MMDR has become a major platform for challenging the government on Odisha’s resource and fiscal interests.
Global Times News | GTNSSEPTEMBER 28, 2026