Jharkhand train accident: Opposition blasts BJP over frequent train accidents; says 'Rail Minister is Reel Minister'
Jharkhand train accident: Opposition parties on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central Government following a tragic train accident in Jharkhand, that left two dead and 20 others injured.
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav flayed the Central Government’s rail safety record, saying, "This government seems to be aiming for a record in train accidents. Along with numerous paper leaks, now we have railway accidents. This administration only makes grand claims while people continue to lose their lives. Immediate action is needed to prevent future accidents."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her condolences to the victims' families and demanded that the government establish accountability to prevent further railway mishaps. Banerjee, a former Railways Minister, expressed her concerns on Twitter, stating, "Is this governance? We are witnessing a series of nightmares almost every week, with an unending stream of deaths and injuries on railway tracks. How long will we tolerate this? Will there be no end to the Government of India's negligence?"
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi flayed the government's response to the increasing frequency of rail accidents, accusing it of "shameful apathy." Chaturvedi said, "With numerous deaths and no accountability so far, I doubt this incident will have any impact. The routine is to announce compensation, promise an inquiry, and then move on to another PR stunt."
She further attacked Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, calling him a "Reel minister," and highlighted the issue of overcrowding in trains, noting, "People are forced to travel in toilets, yet the government shows no shame."
Leaders from the Trinamool Congress, Sushmita Dev and Sagarika Ghose, also flayed the Railway Ministry for its lack of accountability. Dev said, "This is becoming the new normal. The accountability of Ashwini Vaishnaw is zero. The Government of India has no answers whatsoever."
Ghose questioned the Centre's inaction, asking, "How many more train accidents are needed for the Modi government to wake up? People are suffering, facing hardships and misery, while the Modi government avoids accountability and responsibility for rail safety."
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) urged the Railways Minister to prioritise railway safety over social media appearances. The ruling party distanced itself from the incident, clarifying that Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the INDIA bloc were not involved.
The accident occurred early on Tuesday when at least 18 coaches of the Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailed in Jharkhand's Seraikela-Kharsawan district.
- With inputs from agencies
