Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi meets Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, at Loka Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar on Saturday. (ANI Photo) |
To foster cooperative ties and resolve long-standing regional disputes, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met with his Odisha counterpart, Mohan Charan Majhi, during his visit to the state on Saturday. The meeting, held at the Lok Seva Bhawan, centered on multiple issues of mutual interest, focusing on finding a resolution to the contentious Mahanadi water-sharing dispute.
Both leaders expressed their commitment to resolving the dispute through dialogue and mutual cooperation rather than resorting to prolonged legal battles. Stressing the importance of an amicable settlement, Chief Minister Majhi highlighted the deep linguistic and cultural connections between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, emphasizing that such commonalities should facilitate a constructive resolution in the best interest of both states.
“The Mahanadi water dispute has remained unresolved for too long. Since Odisha and Chhattisgarh share not just geographical boundaries but also cultural and linguistic ties, it is imperative that we arrive at a mutually beneficial solution at the earliest,” Majhi stated.
Echoing these sentiments, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai underscored Chhattisgarh’s willingness to engage in discussions to find a fair resolution. “The Chhattisgarh government is fully committed to an amicable solution. We believe that open dialogue and cooperation will help address the concerns of both states effectively,” he affirmed.
Deo Sai was in Odisha to participate in the World Water Day event, an occasion that further underscored the significance of sustainable water management and inter-state collaboration.
Notably, this is not the first time that the leaders of the two states have engaged in discussions on the matter. In November last year, Majhi had reiterated his government’s concern over the Mahanadi water dispute, revealing that he had already met with his Chhattisgarh counterpart twice to discuss the issue during previous courtesy meetings.
The latest meeting signals a renewed intent from both sides to move towards a peaceful resolution, prioritizing dialogue over confrontation and ensuring the welfare of people dependent on the river’s resources.
