Sonia slams BSP, inaugurates coach factory in Rae Bareli

Rae Bareli: In an apparent attack on the BSP, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi today said when the rail coach factory project was launched in Rae Bareli rumours were spread by some persons against it but defying them the project has seen light of the day in such a short time. The foundation stone for the RCF project was laid in January 2009 just before Lok Sabha polls and the then Bahujan Samaj Party government in Uttar Pradesh had termed it as a “political gimmick” on the eve of election to gain political mileage.[caption id=“attachment_518087” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. PTI[/caption] “I here want to mention those who spread rumours against the project…But it has been completed in such a short time”, Gandhi said at a function to flag off rail coaches in Lalganj. The land for the project was initially denied to Railways, which had blamed BSP government for delaying the start of project. Before flagging off 20 coaches produced in the factory which would be used in Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains, Sonia inspected them and said she was feeling elated while flagging off the coaches. “Railways on which 1.5 crore passengers travel every day is crucial for the economy of the country. It is the biggest employer in which over 15 lakh employees work”, Gandhi said in the presence of Railways Minister Pawan Bansal. “I have seen how people in far away places in Jammu and Kashmir were enthused when the service started there,” Gandhi added trying to highlight its importance. PTI