Talks with agitators boost Posco hopes

Bhubaneswar: The real bargain over the Posco project has just begun. After an hour-long meeting with Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, leaders of the CPI-backed group that has been demanding relocation of the steel plant project finally agreed to allow land survey work in their stronghold, the Dhinkia panchayat.

"Shifting issue remains non-negotiable but we will wait, you see, when the CM is going to visit the area we don't want to create any controversy. He has agreed and has invited Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti for a direct dialogue, so then we are waiting for his visit," said Abhay Sahoo, Chairman, Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti.

But the chief minister says he will take a final view only after he talks to other local groups who favour the project.

"I will be meeting different groups of people as well from the project area and listen to their demands as well. Let the survey work be completed and we will choose an appropriate time to go there," Patnaik said.

By inviting the CPI-backed group for talks, Naveen has ensured his party gets the much needed CPI MLA's vote in the coming Rajya Sabha polls. And also that the survey work at the Posco site happens without a hitch.