The Indian National Congress on Wednesday, 8 July sharpened its attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh over the settlement of long-pending disputes related to the Sardar Sarovar Project, alleging that the state had sacrificed its rightful interests while resolving a decades-old dispute with Gujarat. The controversy follows a high-level inter-state meeting chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Tuesday, 7 July.

What the Settlement Entails

Under the agreement reached at the meeting — attended by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis — the states agreed to resolve several inter-state disputes pending for decades. On the Sardar Sarovar Project specifically, Cabinet Minister Chaitanya Kashyap confirmed that Gujarat would bear 75 per cent of project-related expenditure, while Madhya Pradesh would pay ₹217 crore to Gujarat under the agreed terms.

Congress Raises Alarm Over MP's Position

Senior Congress MLA Ajay Singh argued that Madhya Pradesh had already borne the heaviest burden from the project — through submergence of land, displacement of villages, and losses suffered by farmers — yet had failed to secure adequate compensation. 'Our land was submerged, our villages were displaced and our farmers suffered. Despite this, the government has agreed to pay Gujarat instead of protecting Madhya Pradesh's interests. The Chief Minister (Mohan Yadav) should explain why the state's rights were compromised,' Singh said.

Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar went further, demanding that the state government place the complete agreement in the public domain. He alleged that while Madhya Pradesh had suffered the maximum impact of the project, the state was now being asked to make a payment under the settlement — a position he called unacceptable without full transparency.

Government Defends the Deal

Cabinet Minister Chaitanya Kashyap rejected the Congress allegations, calling the settlement a significant achievement. 'The issue related to the Sardar Sarovar Project is also among them. This is a significant achievement that will pave the way for coordinated and faster development of the states concerned,' Kashyap said. He maintained that the agreement resolves inter-state issues that had remained pending for 30 to 40 years and will promote better coordination among participating states.

Background and What Is at Stake

The Sardar Sarovar Project on the Narmada river has been a source of inter-state friction for decades, with disputes over water sharing, submergence compensation, and cost apportionment involving Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. Madhya Pradesh, which contributes the largest share of the reservoir's catchment area, has historically argued that it bears disproportionate costs — particularly in terms of displacement — relative to the benefits it receives. This is not the first time the project has triggered political controversy in the state; previous rounds of negotiations have also drawn opposition criticism over transparency.

With the Congress demanding that the full text of the agreement be made public, the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh faces pressure to justify the financial terms before the state legislature and affected communities. Whether the agreement will be tabled in the public domain remains to be seen.