Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik on Sunday, 20 September 2026, wrote to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, reiterating his demand for an urgent special session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly to pass a unanimous resolution seeking the repeal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment. The letter renews pressure on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state over a federal rights dispute with direct fiscal consequences for Odisha.

Background: The Supreme Court Victory at Stake

Patnaik noted in his letter that the constitutional right of states to impose tax on mineral wealth and mineral-bearing lands had been contested in courts by mining companies for years. He pointed out that the previous BJD government had fought protracted legal battles — in both the High Court and the Supreme Court — to defend Odisha's constitutional authority.

'Under your direction, the Advocate General of Odisha had placed the State's position before the Court, including the serious financial implications for Odisha if its power to levy taxes on minerals and mineral-bearing lands was taken away,' Patnaik wrote, addressing Majhi directly.

That legal battle culminated in a landmark verdict by a nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, which upheld states' authority to levy taxes on mineral wealth and mineral-bearing lands. According to Patnaik, the ruling opened the door to recovering crores of rupees in past dues and securing a minimum recurring annual revenue of nearly ₹12,000 crore for Odisha — a sum with, as he put it, 'profound financial implications' for the state's development.

Why the MMDR Amendment Has Triggered Alarm

Patnaik argued that the newly enacted MMDR Amendment effectively undercuts the Supreme Court's judgment, calling it a shock to the nation. He expressed grave concern that the amendment stands to benefit private mining companies at the direct expense of Odisha's revenue streams. He also levelled pointed criticism at the 20 BJP Members of Parliament who, he alleged, voted in support of the amendment — which he described as being against the interests of Odisha's people.

This comes amid a broader national debate over Centre-state fiscal federalism, with multiple mineral-rich states watching the amendment's implications closely. Notably, Odisha is among India's top mineral-producing states, making the revenue stakes particularly high.

Patnaik's Demand and the Call for Unity

'It is your moral responsibility, as the Leader of the House, to call a special session of the Assembly and bring a unanimous resolution seeking the repeal of the MMDR Amendment,' Patnaik urged in his letter to Majhi.

He assured that the BJD would extend full support to the state government in this endeavour, framing the issue as one transcending party lines. 'Let us come together to pass this resolution in the interest of our motherland, Odisha, and demand that the Central Government reverse its decision to take away the State's constitutional rights. The people of Odisha will remember this historic moment,' he said.

What Happens Next

The ball is now squarely in Chief Minister Majhi's court. Convening a special Assembly session would require the BJP-led state government to, in effect, publicly challenge a Central legislation passed by its own party's majority in Parliament — a politically delicate position. No response from the Chief Minister's office has been reported so far. Whether Majhi acts on the demand or deflects it will be a significant indicator of how the state intends to balance its federal interests against party loyalty to the Centre.