BHUBANESWAR: The state government has rejected the demand of the Opposition BJD and Congress for convening a special session of the assembly to discuss the impact of MMDR Amendment Bill, 2026 on Odisha, stating there was no need for a separate discussion on the matter.
Parliamentary Affairs minister Mukesh Mahaling said the issue can be discussed during the regular monsoon session of the assembly, notification of which will be issued soon. “The state government is ready to discuss all matters to be raised by the Opposition in the session,” he said.
The monsoon session of the assembly is likely be convened during the second week of September. Opposition BJD and Congress are also preparing to raise the issue during the monsoon session.
On Saturday, the Congress led by legislature party leader Ramachandra Kadam had submitted a memorandum to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati at the Lok Bhavan demanding a special session of the assembly to discuss the issue which the party said concerned the interests of Odisha and its people.
Congress vice-president Santosh Singh Saluja and MLA CS Raajen Ekka also strongly criticised the Parliamentary Affairs minister for rejecting the demand for a special session of the assembly over the issue. Stating that the government was afraid of calling a special session, they alleged the double-engine government sacrificed Odisha’s interests.
Addressing a media-conference on the day, senior BJD leader and former minister Pritiranjan Gharai and party MLA Byomakesh Ray said BJD president and leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik had demanded a special session and an all-party meeting to discuss the issue. However, the BJP is not doing so for the benefit of mine owners, they alleged.
Questioning how the Centre could pass such an important Bill in Parliament without consulting the states, they said it undermined the federal framework and constitutional system of the country.
