India, Aug. 30 -- BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Saturday wrote to BJP MPs from Odisha, urging them to call for reversal of the MMDR Act amendments that seek to restrict States' powers to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land parcels.

Patnaik, who is also the leader of the opposition in the State Assembly, appealed to the MPs of the ruling party to safeguard the interests of people who elected them to Parliament.

"I earnestly appeal to you (BJP MPs) to listen to your conscience and think about the future generations of Odisha. I appeal to you to challenge and call for a reversal of the amendment made in the MMDR Act that takes away the powers of the State Government," Patnaik said in the letter.

He also said August 13,...