Cong driven by self-interest in deciding aid: Naveen

The rally was organised by the Biju Janata Dal to press for its demand at the Centre’s doorsteps. Patnaik was accompanied by a delegation of 30 comprising party MPs and MLAs.

Coming down hard on the ruling coalition,Patnaik said the Congress was driven solely by its “self interest” while deciding central assistance to states and was neglecting demands of states like Orissa,which is raising the pitch for a “special status” like Bihar.

Speaking in Oriya,Patnaik said that states like Orissa were neglected even in matters of relief assistance after natural calamities like floods and cyclones.

He also touched upon his pet peeve: the issue of rail connectivity in the state. Orissa has been petitioning successive railways ministers for more trains and expansion of its rail network.

“Having a railway line in all our districts has still remained a dream,despite the railways earning crores of rupees from Orissa,” he said.

“Should the money paid by crores of tax payers of the country be used for a narrow interest of a political party?” he asked. “Our demand for a special status will continue.”

The rally saw thousands of BJD supporters coming in from Orissa in trains in the past few days to fill up the massive Ramlila Ground.

State government officials and BJD functionaries claimed the turnout to be around between 20,000,including Oriyas from Delhi and the NCR who had joined in the rally.

Patnaik met President Pranab Mukherjee in the evening and submitted a petition,demanding special status signed by one crore people of the state.