JD(S) to protest neglect of railway projects in K'taka

Bangalore, Feb 27 (UNI) The Janata Dal(S) will protest against the injustice meted out to Karnataka in the 2008-09 Railway budget, its chief and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said today.

Talking to newspersons after admitting some members of the Congress and the BJP into JD(S) here, Mr Gowda, expressing anguish over neglecting the State in the Railway budget presented by Lalu Prasad, said he would raise the issue strongly on the floor of Parliament.

Stating that several Railway projects which were crucial to sustain and expand economic activities in Karnataka, were being neglected continously, he opined that the 'State can not expect a better deal either from the Congress or the BJP in getting its due share.' Sharply reacting to Railway Minister Lalu Prasad's remark that he was instrumental in his elevation as Prime Minister in 1995, Mr Gowda wondered whether Mr Prasad had such a capacity at that time.

''I am not sure whether Mr Prasad was responsible for my becoming Prime Minister of this country. However, there is no doubt that a person from Bihar was instrumental in making me to step down from the post of highest executive of the country,'' Mr Gowda said.

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