JOIN USThe state government has been highlighting the Rs 37, 230 crore refinery in Barmer as the biggest achievement of the state Congress government. But the decision to shift the location of refinery from previously decided Leelala to Pachpadra has brewed up local politics in the area.
Local leaders, both from BJP and Congress, have come together to oppose the decision.
All leaders and locals including farmers have now geared up for agitations against the government for changing the location of the refinery.
Baytoo legislator and Congress leader Col Sona Ram Chaudhary, who is a perennial Gehlot baiter, said the decision was taken to settle political scores with him and to benefit the chief minister’s area of Jodhpur. The new location is adjoining Jodhpur though comes under Barmer district.
Sona Ram said only Baytoo has the right to get refinery. He said the government is confusing people in the name of refinery.
He said a few senior leaders including chief minister Ashok Gehlot blamed him for shifting of the refinery alleging that Sona Ram has been instigating the farmers to agitation demanding unreasonable compensation for the land.
Local BJP leaders have also joined the issue saying that it is not an issue of political parties but that of Barmer and its people.
BJP leader from Barmer, Kailash Beniwal said protests will be intensified and refinery will be installed in Leelala even if people have to sacrifice their life for the cause.
Party state president Vasundhara Raje joined the issue alleging that the change in the location was to favour land mafia which had purchased large area of land at throw away prices in advance after the information of the shift was leaked.
She demanded an inquiry to find out who leaked the shifting information.
A few days ago, BJP legislator Rajendra Rathore had alleged that the chief minister shifted the refinery as he wanted to launch his son in politics and was searching a right place for him.
Gehlot, feeling the heat from local Congress leaders and BJP, ordered to ban all new land registries in the area after the announcement of the refinery in Pachpadra and challenged the BJP leader to prove the point.
He also said if any Congress leader was found involved strict action would be initiated.