SC in BJD, BJP in heated face-off over cancellation of Vedanta University land acquisition in Odisha

A political tussle has erupted between the BJD and the BJP over the Supreme Court’s decision on the proposed Vedanta University in Puri. BJP’s national spokesperson Sanvit Bhare said, “The violation of the law by the state government in the land acquisition process for Vedanta University has been proved by the Supreme Court’s decision.” The government illegally gave two rivers to Anil Agarwal’s company Vedanta, harming the interests of the natives and neglecting environmental protection.

BJD’s national spokesperson Sasmit Potter vehemently denied the BJP’s allegations, claiming that the then Revenue Minister Manmohan Samal and Education Minister Sameer Dey, both senior BJP leaders supported the proposed university. The BJD alleges that the aim of some factions within the BJP is to create problems for the current BJP state president Manmohan Samal. Meanwhile, the Congress is planning to take up the issue and hold protests in front of district collector’s offices across the state from April 15 to 20.

Expressing concern, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra said, “The apex court has termed the acquisition of 15,000 acres of land for the proposed project as ‘illegal’.” The private company will own the two rivers, affecting Puri residents. The state government has also neglected environmental protection.”

Patra further said, “The present BJP state president and the then revenue minister Manmohan Samal had supported the proposed Vedanta University. Education Minister Sameer Dey also supported it. It has exposed the mistake of the BJP.”

PCC president Sharat Patnaik said, ‘It is illegal. We will take up this issue and protest in front of district collector’s offices across the state from April 15 to 20.”

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