: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee on Friday staunchly backed Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi saying he did no wrong by advocating for protection of tribal interest in Niyamgiri hills. This comes in the backdrop of former Union Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan’s letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
“In 2008, I had accompanied Mr. Gandhi to Kalahandi where tribals had come under enormous pressure from the mining lobby. He was absolutely convinced that there were attempts to hand over Niyamgiri illegally for bauxite mining,” said Bhakta Charan Das, former MP of Kalahandi.
Mr. Das said, “It is natural for political leaders to forward representations received from people and organizations to the concerned department for redressal of grievances.”
OPCC President Prasad Harichandan said, “Ms Natarajan’s letter was part of larger conspiracy hatched by the BJP and corporate lobbies. However, the letter proved that Mr. Gandhi was fighting for protection of tribal rights as well as environment.”
Subhankar Sarkar, in-charge of affairs of Odisha Congress, condemned the letter made public by Ms Natarajan. “Why has she been quiet for so many months after quitting the ministry? The timing of the letter raises eyebrows. It seems the BJP has hatched a conspiracy keeping in mind the Delhi elections and Ms Natarajan is part of the conspiracy.”
