India, Aug. 29 -- Odisha Leader of Opposition and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik has written to all BJP Lok Sabha MPs from the state, urging them to raise their voice against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which he alleged would undermine the state's control over its mineral resources.

In his letter, Patnaik appealed to the MPs to "listen to their conscience" and consider the interests of Odisha's future generations. He urged them to challenge the amendments to the MMDR Act and demand their reversal.

Patnaik described the passage of the MMDR Bill in the Lok Sabha on August 13 as a "black day for Odisha", alleging that the legislation was passed with less than 10 minutes of discu...