Naveen Patnaik Vows to Fight MMDR Act ‘Till Last Breath’, Urges Odisha to Unite Against Law

Naveen Patnaik Leads Protest Against MMDR Amendment Act

BJD president and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik addressed a major party protest against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, outside the Odisha Assembly in Bhubaneswar on September 28.

Patnaik said he would continue his opposition to the legislation “till his last breath” and described the issue as a fight concerning Odisha’s rights and the future of its younger generation.

Patnaik Calls for Political Unity

Patnaik appealed to people across political affiliations to join the campaign against the amended MMDR law.

He argued that the issue should not be viewed only as a BJD political campaign and urged political parties and sections of society to unite over what he described as Odisha’s interests. Thousands of BJD supporters, including students, youths, women, tribal groups, Dalits and farmers, participated in the demonstration.

What Is the MMDR Amendment Act 2026?

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 was passed by Parliament in August.

According to reports, the legislation includes provisions that restrict states' powers to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land. The changes have triggered opposition in Odisha, with the BJD arguing that they could affect the state's financial and administrative interests connected with mineral resources.

Patnaik Warns of Revenue Losses

Patnaik claimed that Odisha could lose thousands of crores of rupees in annual revenue because of the amended law.

This is Patnaik's assessment of the financial impact of the legislation and is part of the BJD's political opposition to the amendment. He urged the people of Odisha to oppose its implementation in the state.

Questions Raised Over Odisha BJP MPs

Patnaik criticised BJP MPs from Odisha over their alleged silence when the MMDR Amendment Bill was passed in Parliament.

He questioned why the state's BJP government and its around 20 BJP MPs did not oppose the legislation if, as he claimed, Odisha faced substantial revenue losses. These remarks were made as part of Patnaik's criticism of the BJP and the state government.

Patnaik Says He Wrote to CM Mohan Charan Majhi

The BJD chief said he had written twice to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi asking him to convene a special session of the Assembly.

According to Patnaik, he wanted the Assembly to discuss the MMDR amendment and pass a unanimous resolution opposing it. He said he did not receive a response to those letters. Patnaik also said he had written to Odisha's BJP MPs on August 29 seeking their support for reversing the amendment.

BJD Calls It a Fight for Odisha's Future

Patnaik linked the agitation to the interests of younger generations, including Gen Z.

He said the campaign was intended to protect Odisha's rights over its mineral resources and urged people to remain united irrespective of political affiliation. The BJD has said it wants the amended law withdrawn.

Protesters March Towards Assembly

Following Patnaik's address, a number of BJD workers attempted to move towards the Odisha Assembly.

Police stopped protesters at barricades and took some into preventive custody as they attempted to advance. The demonstration also coincided with disruptions inside the Odisha Assembly, where BJD and Congress members protested against the MMDR amendment and demanded its withdrawal.

BJP and Centre's Position

The opposition to the MMDR amendment has become a wider political issue in Odisha. The BJP has defended the legislation and cited the Justice M.B. Shah Commission's mining-related findings in its response to the protests.

The dispute therefore involves competing positions over the distribution of powers concerning mineral resources, taxation and revenues between the Centre and states.

Wider Political Debate Over Mineral Rights

Odisha is one of India's major mineral-producing states, making changes to the legal framework governing mineral rights and taxation particularly significant for the state's political and economic debate.

The BJD has demanded withdrawal of the amendment, while the BJP has defended the changes. The issue is expected to remain a major point of discussion in Odisha politics.

Key Takeaways

• Naveen Patnaik vowed to fight the MMDR Amendment Act “till his last breath.”

• The BJD organised a major protest outside the Odisha Assembly on September 28.

• Patnaik urged political parties and people across Odisha to unite against the legislation.

• He claimed the amendment could result in thousands of crores of rupees in annual revenue losses for Odisha.

• The BJD has opposed provisions concerning state powers over mineral rights and mineral-bearing land.

• Patnaik said he had written to CM Mohan Charan Majhi seeking a special Assembly session.

• BJD and Congress members also protested against the amendment inside the Odisha Assembly.

• The BJP has defended the MMDR amendment, making the issue part of an ongoing political dispute.