New Delhi: With an aim to unseat the BJP-led Union government, the Congress has decided to make the controversial Rafale deal as its main agenda for the forthcoming general and Assembly elections in Odisha.
Briefing the media after the meeting of the party here, Odisha Congress In-charge Jitendra Singh said that the youth of the state suffered due to the Centre’s decision on Rafale deal.
“Rafale deal is a big loss to Odisha. As you know there is a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) engine division in Koraput. The youths in the state could have got employment opportunities if there had been a tie-up between Dassault and HAL. We are planning to hold agitation in the state over the Rafael deal as it is in loss for the state youth,” said Singh.
Quote: The youths of the state could have got employment opportunities if the jet planes were built at the HAL engine division in Koraput
jitendra singh state cong in-charge
Quote: The defence minister and PM have clarified the allegation of the Opposition on Rafale deal on the floor of the Parliament. If the Congress party is going to launch an agitation over the issue, we welcome it
Prithviraj Harichandan BJP general secretary
He further said that the party would hold a meeting in the state and decide its poll strategy. The party would also start distribution of tickets soon, he added.
“All of us are going to Odisha today (Saturday). We will hold meetings with District Congress presidents and newly-formed committees in the next three days. We will also hold meeting of Pradesh Election Committee before deciding the strategy for the upcoming elections. We will also try to begin the ticket distribution process from day after tomorrow and plan to complete it much early,” Singh added.
Dubbing the Rafale deal a big scam, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Niranjan Patnaik said, “The Prime Minister provided undue favour to Anil Ambani. We will take up the issue of Rafale deal to the district level as Odisha suffered the most due to it.”
The Congress Saturday held a meeting with the presidents of all state units here to discuss the strategy for the forthcoming general and Assembly elections. The OPCC president, Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra and Singh attended the meeting here.
Reacting to the allegation of Congress, state BJP general secretary Prithviraj Harichandan said, “The defence minister and Prime Minister have already clarified the allegation of the Opposition on Rafale deal on the floor of the Parliament. If the Congress party is going to launch an agitation over the issue here, we welcome it.”
The BJP leader dares the Congress party to show whatever proof it has against the Modi government on Rafale deal. “They are going to hold the protest only to mislead the people of this country. But, they will not succeed,” he stated.
PNN