West Bengal factor still important in railways

The West Bengal factor will continue to play an important role in running the Railways Ministry.

Though Pawan Kumar Bansal will take charge of the Ministry as Cabinet minister, the induction of Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary as Minister of State indicates the Congress’ plan of neutralising Mamata Banerjee’s campaign that Trinmool Congress’ exit will affect railway projects in the state.

During her short stint in the Ministry, she used railway’s resources to further her political interest and invested in a huge way in West Bengal. She revived dying projects and introduced new projects in the state. She also appointed important cultural and social personalities on various railway committees to make a dent in the following of CPM among the Bengali ‘bhadralok’. Now, Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary will put in all his efforts to neutralise it.