Koraput: Odisha unit of INDIA bloc on Monday organised a ‘parivartan rally’ in the district headquarters town of Rayagada demanding immediate withdrawal of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, which opposition members termed an “anti-Odisha” and “black law”.Led by Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das, AICC in-charge Lalaji Desai, Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, former PCC presidents Niranjan Patnaik, Jayadev Jena and Sarat Patnaik, Congress legislature party leader Ramachandra Kadam and Jeypore MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati were among those who attended the rally. Senior CPI, CPM and samajwadi party members also participated.Addressing the gathering, Das alleged that the state was being run by an “Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram government”. He announced that the opposition alliance would intensify its agitation against govt through protests in Angul and Keonjhar, a gherao of state assembly, an Odisha bandh in Oct and a jail bharo agitation.Desai alleged that Odisha stood to lose around Rs 1.10 lakh crore in mining-related dues and around Rs 20,000 crore annually because of the amended legislation. “Odisha’s water, forests, land and mineral resources will not be allowed to be looted. While our youth are forced to migrate in search of work, outsiders are becoming owners here,” Desai said.He added that the agitation would continue under the leadership of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. “If necessary, we will intensify the movement and demand the closure of mines,” he said. Congress members submitted a memorandum to collector (Rayagada) Ashutosh Kulkarni on behalf of President of India demanding immediate withdrawal of MMDR Amendment Act 2026.Countering the opposition’s allegations, BJP’s Kaliram Majhi said INDIA bloc was misleading people by portraying the amendment as an attack on Odisha’s interests.“The amended MMDR Act is aimed at bringing greater transparency and uniformity to the mining sector. The opposition should explain the provisions of the legislation instead of making unsubstantiated allegations about revenue losses and corporate control,” Majhi said.He said the state’s mineral resources should be utilised for development, employment generation and industrial growth, while ensuring the interests of local communities.
