Bhubaneswar: Amid fresh uproar in the Odisha Assembly during Zero Hour over the MMDR Amendment Act 2026 leading to adjournment of the House till 4 PM, the BJD intensified its protest at Gandhi Marg (Lower PMG) in Bhubaneswar demanding withdrawal of the Act.
Party president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik joined the protest march.
Addressing the gathering, Naveen Patnaik launched a scathing attack on the BJP and said the agitation was aimed at protecting Odisha’s interests and the rights of its 4.5 crore people.
“We have gathered here today for the interest of Odisha. We have gathered for the rights of 4.5 crore Odias. We are fighting this battle for the future of our Gen Z. The MMDR Amendment Bill is not an ordinary bill. This bill is linked to the rights of the state. The people of Odisha are the owners of Odisha’s mines and Odisha’s land,” Patnaik said.
Patnaik alleged that such an important bill was passed in Parliament without any discussion. “Sadly, such an important bill was passed in Parliament without discussion. And our 20 BJP MPs remained silent — in whose interest? The Odisha government also remained silent. Out of fear of whom?” questioned Patnaik.
He continued: “I had written to the Chief Minister for a special session of the Assembly. There was no reply. I again wrote to the Chief Minister to bring a resolution opposing the MMDR Amendment Act. But there was no reply.”
Patnaik warned that Odisha will have to incur loss thousand crores of rupees every year due to this Act. “Why is the government silent on Odisha’s interests? No party can ever be bigger than this soil. The chair is there today, it will not be there tomorrow. But if you betray this soil, you will be condemned forever. Gen Z will not forgive you. The people of Odisha will not forgive you”, he said.
Ending his speech with a strong appeal, Patnaik said, “I will fight for Odisha’s rights till my last breath. My request to all, my request to all parties, join this fight. Come, let us unite for this soil. Let us resolve. We will not allow the MMDR Amendment Act to be implemented in Odisha. We will fight. We will bring back our rights.”
He also appealed to all political parties to join the campaign to protect Odisha’s interests.
