Pradesh Congress Committee president Prasad Harichandan said while Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi opposed permission to Vedanta to mine bauxite in the Niyamgiri hill, it was aimed at protecting the interests of the primitive Dongria Kondhs who inhabit the area.Addressing a Press conference here on Friday, Harichandan, reacting to the resignation of former Union Minister and senior party leader Jayanthi Natarajan from Congress, supported Gandhi’s stand on the issue.
Harichandan also charged that the BJP wants to use Jayanti for the Delhi Assembly polls and that is why Jayanthi, who was a loyal Congress leader for last 30 years, tendered her resignation on plea of her anguish over being sidelined and humiliated in the party and interference from persons on top in her work while according environmental clearance to several projects, including Vedanta in Niyamgiri.
Rahul fought for the Adivasi people’s rights over the hills. He went in person to Niyamgiri and publicly declared his support for the tribal inhabitants saying that he was their "Sipahi" and would not allow the corporate to take over the hill at their cost, said the PCC chief.Former Union Minister Bhakta Das said while the fight of the Adivasis of the hill had thrilled the whole world, the visit of Rahul Gandhi to Kalahandi had strengthened their agitation against use of the hill for mining purpose by the Vedanta.
