As Rahul Gandhi plans meet, HAL asks staff not to interact with netas

BENGALURU: After Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) issued a veiled threat to its employees not to meet Congress chief Rahul Gandhi here on Saturday, the party pared down his programme to just one interaction. Now, Rahul will "only meet" HAL employees - mostly retired and some serving - at Cubbon Park, on Saturday.

The visit to Bengaluru is designed to sway public opinion to the view that the country is losing contracts worth thousands of crores of rupees to private entrepreneurs instead of them landing in public sector units like HAL.

Congress had first said Rahul and the party's state leaders would lead a padyatra to the HAL head office from Congress Bhavan. That stands cancelled now.

With HAL warning its employees not to interact with political parties, Congress's plans of embarrassing PM Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre have been scuttled. In a press release, HAL said all employees' unions must exercise restraint and ensure they don't become part of any controversy.

Meanwhile, KPCC vice president BL Shankar said: "It's not about Rahul coming to meet HAL staff. It's about HAL's contribution to India and there'll be a discussion about it. Anyone can participate - former, current employees or people interested in HAL developments..."