Cong calls for Kalahandi bandh on April 6 over wagon factory shift

Bhubaneswar: Lambasting both the BJP-led Central government and the State government over shifting of the proposed railway wagon factory from Narla in Kalahandi to Vizag, State Congress chief Prasad Harichandan on Thursday said the Kalahandi district unit will observe a Kalahandi bandh on April 6 protesting against the decision.

Harichandan said, “The Kalahandi District Congress has called for the district bandh on April 6.”

Mentioning that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) had decided to set up the wagon factory at Narla, Harichandan stated, “However, the BJP government shifted it to outside the State. They (the Centre) do not have any thought about Narla or Sitalapalli. On the other hand, the State government is not raising its voice except sitting quiet.”

Refuting the charges, Dibya Shankar Mishra, BJD spokesperson, said, “It is unfortunate people are blaming the state government for the shifting of the wagon factory.”

Mishra added, “Today we sat for a preparatory meeting. Definitely the voice will be raised in Kalahandi.”

He said the State government has provided all sorts of support for the proposed wagon factory.

Meanwhile, Jual Oram, Union minister attacked the BJD government in the State for the factory sifting decision of the Centre and said, “The State is responsible for this. When it was decided to set up the wagon factory in Kalahandi, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik conspired to shift the factory to his constituency.”

Oram further said, “Now to hide his weakness, he (Naveen) is bringing a resolution in the House for the sake of it as they have a majority. It will not serve any purpose.”

Notably, the members of Odisha Assembly Tuesday arrived at a consensus to bring the issue to the notice of the Railway minister by submitting a memorandum on the shifting of the wagon factory.

The decision was taken that the House committee will submit the memorandum to Railway minister after the issue was taken up for discussion through a motion moved by the chief whip of the ruling party.