Bhubaneswar, September 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Odisha Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Monday vowed to continue his opposition to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, declaring that he would fight against it “until my last breath”.
Addressing a large protest rally organised by the BJD at Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar, Patnaik said the party was opposing the legislation to safeguard the rights of 4.5 crore people of Odisha and protect the future of the younger generation, referred to as Gen G.
He warned the BJP-led state government that the younger generation and the people of Odisha would not forgive it for remaining silent on an issue he described as crucial to the state’s interests.
“Why is the government silent when it comes to Odisha’s interests? The party can never be greater than this land. Power may be yours today, but it may not be tomorrow. But if you betray this land, you will be condemned forever. Gen G will not forgive you. The people of Odisha will not forgive you,” Patnaik said.
The BJD president asserted that the people of Odisha were the rightful owners of the state’s mines and land. He also questioned the conduct of the BJP and its representatives during the passage of the amendment in Parliament.
“It is unfortunate that such an important Bill was passed in Parliament without discussion, and our 20 BJP MPs remained silent. In whose interest did they remain silent? The Odisha government also remained silent. Fearing whom?” he asked.
Patnaik said he had written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging him to convene a special session of the Odisha Assembly to discuss the MMDR Amendment Act and pass a resolution opposing it.
He criticised Majhi for not responding to his letters and accused the BJP-led government of limiting its response to saying “no” and delivering speeches.
Patnaik further claimed that the legislation would cause Odisha annual losses amounting to thousands of crores of rupees. He appealed to political parties across the state and the public to unite against the Act.
“I will fight for the rights of Odisha until my last breath. I appeal to everyone, and I appeal to all political parties, to join this fight. Let us come together for this land. Let us take a pledge that we will not allow the MMDR Amendment Act to be implemented in Odisha,” he said.
Thousands of BJD workers from different parts of Odisha gathered at Lower PMG for the protest, demanding the repeal of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026.
Senior party leaders, including Patnaik and Sujata Rout, also addressed the gathering and criticised the legislation.
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