Bhubaneswar, Sept. 22 (UDN): BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has outlined a series of issues the party plans to raise during the Odisha Assembly’s Monsoon Session, with the MMDR Amendment Act, alleged textbook errors and farmers’ concerns emerging as key focus areas.
File_Photo of Naveen Pattnaik
Addressing the BJD Legislature Party meeting ahead of the session, Patnaik criticised the BJP-led state government over what he described as shortcomings in governance and said the Opposition would press the government on several public issues.
MMDR Amendment At Centre Of BJD Campaign
Patnaik said the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 would be among the party’s major concerns during the session. He alleged that the legislation was passed in Parliament without adequate discussion and raised questions over the stand taken by the Odisha government and BJP MPs from the state.
Patnaik said he had earlier sought an all-party meeting and a special session of the Assembly to discuss the legislation, but claimed the demand had not been accepted.
The BJD president said his party would continue to raise the issue in the Assembly and seek what it describes as protection of Odisha’s rights over its mineral resources.
Textbook Errors, Farmers’ Problems To Be Raised
Patnaik also targeted the government over alleged errors in school textbooks, claiming that thousands of mistakes had been found. He demanded that responsibility be fixed and corrected books made available to students, and called for accountability from the minister concerned.
Farmers’ issues also featured prominently in his address. Patnaik alleged delays in the availability of fertilisers and seeds and raised concerns over paddy procurement. He also questioned the alleged delay in lifting rice from Odisha by the Food Corporation of India.
Price Rise, UPI Charges And Electoral Rolls
Beyond these three major issues, Patnaik said the BJD would raise concerns over rising prices, law and order, flood management, fiscal management and low budget expenditure.
He also expressed concern over the reported Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI transactions, saying additional costs could affect small traders and potentially increase the burden on consumers.
The BJD chief further raised the issue of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging that genuine voters could be affected by deletions and calling on party legislators to take up the matter.
The BJD has said these issues will form part of its strategy to hold the government accountable during the Assembly session.