The 'Made in India' AK-203 rifle plant will not only be a boon for the security forces, but the fact that it is located in the Gandhi bastion of Amethi is expected to deliver big gains to the BJP in the upcoming general election
New Delhi: The world-famous Russian assault rifle AK-47 will be now made for the Indian security forces in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The inauguration of the rifle manufacturing project in Amethi is not only important for the jawans, but is politically very significant with the Narendra Modi government setting up the multi-crore project at the Gandhi bastion.
Interestingly, Narendra Modi's visit to Amethi on Sunday will be his first since becoming the Prime Minister in 2014. The visit just ahead of the announcement of the general election dates is being seen as the beginning of a mega political battle.
Modi is expected to launch several projects in power generation, education, health and manufacturing sectors in the constituency which has remained loyal to the Gandhi family for a long time. These projects will directly benefit the Amethi region by offering more job opportunities and revenue.
Also read: Why 'Made in India' AK-203 rifles in Amethi will be a game-changer for Indian forces
The manufacture of modernised version of AK-47 rifles in Amethi will be in collaboration with Russia, and will be undertaken at the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) Korwa established in 2010. The joint venture will give a tremendous boost to the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC) project. With the launch of other projects, the BJP is trying to make its presence felt at the Congress fortress, which has allegedly been ignored by Rahul Gandhi.
MyNation had reported from ground zero in Amethi, revealing a bleak picture of development and the anger of locals against the Gandhi family for failing to deliver their promise of employment and other development.
Also read: Rahul Gandhi in trouble on home turf; 'go back to Italy', say Amethi farmers
Union Minister Smriti Irani, who lost the 2014 Lok Sabha election to Rahul from Amethi, has been regularly visiting the constituency and has also announced several projects and schemes in the past. It won’t be an easy road for Rahul after Modi’s visit in his constituency.
Recently, Prime Minister Modi also visited Rae Bareli, the constituency of former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.
At Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) Korwa, a total of 7.5 lakh AK-203 rifles will be made at a cost of Rs 12,000 crore. The AK-203 is an upgraded version of the AK-100 series. The project is a big boost to Modi’s Make in India initiative and will aim at 100% local content for manufacturing of the rifles.
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