Cong to lay foundation for polls

With just a few days left in implementation of model code of conduct in Rajasthan, top Congress leaders, including PM Manmohan Singh and AICC chief Sonia Gandhi, are racing against time to garner maximum milage from the poll-bound state.

Congress’ top-rung leaders have cleared their schedules to speed through various foundation laying ceremonies in the state. Between September 17 and 22, the leaders are expected to lay the foundation stones for four projects; the ceremonies would be followed by political rallies.

On September 22, Sonia Gandhi will inaugurate the ambitions Barmer Oil Refinery project. She will also inaugurate the Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) coach factory in Bhilwara on the same day. Both the inaugurations will be followed by massive political rallies.

On September 20 or 21, PM Manmohan Singh will be in Kishangarh to lay foundation stone of the airport there.

While on September 17, Rahul Gandhi will lay the foundation stone of Chbabra Super Critical Power Plant and will also inaugurate the third unit of 250 MW of Chhabra Power Plant.

Last minute inaugurations by senior Congress leaders clearly indicate party’s intent to ensure that the credit for all important projects announced by them is collected well in time.

The haste is visible from the fact that the process of land acquisition is yet to get over in several projects, like MEMU coach factory in Bhilwara.

CM Gehlot, it seems, is in no mood to repeat the previous mistakes like those made during Bisalpur project, which started in Gehlot’s regime but was inaugurated by Vasundhara Raje.

While Kishangarh airport comes under Sachin Pilot’s constituency, the MEMU coach factory comes in CP Joshi’s constituency who had pushed hard for the project during his term as Union railway minister.