Bhubaneswar: To take the BJD’s thunder on the Mahanadi issue, leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra on Tuesday welcomed it to be a part of an delegation to meet President Pranab Mukherjee. Narasingha had earlier put the BJD in a dilemma by convening an all-party meeting on the controversy on August 3.

“We will discuss this matter with the President. If Ruling Party wants it can be a part of the group,” Narasingha said in the assembly. Opposition made ruckus in the House for the second day day in protest against Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik’s statement to a Mahanadi discuss on Saturday.

The BJD had boycotted the August 3 all-party meet and staged rail roko agitation of Chhattisgarh-bound goods train that day, what was being seen as an attempt to steal the march on the meet. Naveen on Saturday also snubbed Narasingha for the all-party meet.

Speaking to mediapersons outside the assembly, Narasingha said, “Ideally the chief minister should have led an all-party delegation to the President. Since he didn’t do it, we are forced to take the lead to protect the state’s interest. Any other political party can also join us. We will seek a date with President,” he said.