Bhubaneswar, Dec 14: Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan blamed former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the unresolved Mahanadi water-sharing issue between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.  

The Minister, however, asserted that the present BJP government would not sit over its predecessor's failures but rather take all steps to resolve all issues concerning the State.   

"If the Mahanadi issue is troublesome now, it is because of Naveen Patnaik. They (BJD Government) forgot Oidsha's interest by refusing to resolve the issue through mediation. Hanu (monkey) tells the truth at the time of death. Likewise, the BJD recalls everything (about the Mahanadi) now," ridiculed Harichandan.  

Hd added, "Ours is not a government that avoids a situation by only criticizing the past. We clearly say that our government will do everything in the interest of Odisha till the last moment."

Harichandan said the Narendra Modi government at the Centre has been cooperating with Odisha on the Mahanadi issue. He said whatever cases, be it Banshadhara Tribunal or any other case, lost in the past are because of negligence of the BJD government. 

"We will not let such things happen in the Mahanadi Tribunal. At least, there will not be a repetition of the past during this government," asserted the Law Minister. 

He suggested that the BJD should not unnecessarily create political conflict over the Mahanadi issue. 

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