BJP leader Pradeep Purohit confirmed the party's participation in the conference. The BJD had rejected the invitation of the Congress Legislature Party and Opposition leader Mishra. The decision also implies that party leaders, including state unit president Prasad Harichandan, will stay away from tomorrow's convention. "They should first talk to their central leadership and take their stance here," party spokesperson Pratap Deb had said. Senior Congress leader and former Union minister Srikant Jena, however, told The Telegraph: "The party has decided that it will take the Mahanadi issue to the people's court.

Source: The Telegraph August 02, 2016 22:18 UTC