Cong leaders up ante for rail wagon unit in K’handi .

The Pioneer, July 5, 2012

The district Congress unit has threatened to take to the streets on the prolonged uncertainty over establishment of a rail wagon factory in Kalahandi.
The party leaders are organising public meetings at various places accusing the BJD Government of betraying the people of the district.
Kalahandi MP Bhakta Charan Das has organised a meeting at Narla recently where the proposal for the establishment of the factory was given. It was attended by former Revenue Minister Jagannath Patnaik, said to be the mentor of Das.
After long years, both the leaders were seen in a platform, where they attacked the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD Government, saying that the regional party was neglecting the district knowingly despite sufficient availability of land at Narla for the factory.
The meeting was not attended by Opposition leader Bhupinder Singh which had raised eyebrows as Singh is the MLA from Narla Constituency. Singh’s silence in the Assembly to set up the rail wagon factory was another concern for the people. However, sources informed that Singh was away in Delhi during the meeting. Political observers said the absence of Singh may go against his political prospect in the area while other Congress leaders might reap its benefit.
The party leaders present in the meeting told the audience that the wagon factory would generate employment in the area. Das vowed that at any cost the factory would be established at Narla, where the State Government will be compelled to provide land.