Naveen Patnaik Urges Opposition Against MMDR Act Implementation in Odisha

Former Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik has called on political parties to oppose the implementation of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, in Odisha.

Patnaik led a protest outside the Odisha Legislative Assembly, where he criticised the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in Odisha over what he described as concerns about the financial impact of the amended mining law on the state.

Addressing party workers and supporters, Patnaik questioned the role of BJP MPs from Odisha during the passage of the legislation in Parliament. He asked why the state’s BJP MPs had not raised stronger objections to the legislation and questioned the Odisha government’s response to his request for a special Assembly session or a resolution on the issue.

Patnaik claimed that the amended law could result in annual losses of thousands of crores of rupees for Odisha. He argued that the state’s mineral resources should generate greater financial benefits for its people and accused the government of failing to adequately protect Odisha’s interests.

The BJD leader also appealed to other political parties to join the campaign against the legislation. He said political parties should put the interests of Odisha ahead of party considerations and called for a united effort to protect the state’s financial and mineral rights.

Patnaik said that political organisations should not be placed above the interests of the state and warned that any action perceived as harming Odisha could face criticism from future generations.

Sujata Rout, a former IAS officer who recently joined the BJD and is the wife of former bureaucrat and BJD leader V.K. Pandian, also supported Patnaik’s position. She argued that revenue generated from Odisha’s mineral resources could have been used to finance development projects across the state.

Rout credited the previous BJD government with increasing mining-related revenue during Patnaik’s tenure. Her comments formed part of the BJD’s broader argument that changes to the mining framework could affect Odisha’s future revenues.

The BJD has indicated that its protest campaign will not be limited to Bhubaneswar. Party leaders plan to take the movement to different districts and have announced plans to oppose the transportation of minerals from mining areas as part of the agitation.

Meanwhile, leaders of the India bloc have announced another protest in Bhubaneswar on September 29 over the issue. The planned demonstration is expected to bring together opposition parties seeking changes to or reconsideration of the implementation of the amended mining law.

The controversy has brought the distribution of revenue from Odisha’s mineral resources back into the political debate. The BJD and other opposition parties are questioning the financial implications of the amended law, while the Centre and the state government will be expected to explain their position on the legislation and its impact on Odisha.