Odisha Train Crash: Congress Demands Railway Minister’s Resignation, Jobs To Family Members Of Deceased

Bhubaneswar: Mounting a blistering attack on the BJP-led central government over the horrific train disaster at Bahanaga in Balasore district, Odisha unit of Congress on Monday demanded the resignation of Railway Ministrer Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Addressing a press meet in Bhuhaneswar, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Sarat Pattanayak and senior leader Bijay Patnaik said the Railway Minister should tender his resignation forthwith in the aftermath of the deadly train mishap that took place on Friday.

Accusing Narendra Modi government of indulging in propaganda at the cost of safety measures in rail network, Pattanayak said lack of adequate steps for the development of infrastructure and safety mechanism had led to the tragic accident.

Coming down heavily on the Railway Minister, the PCC chief alleged that Vaishnaw was making contradictory statements about the train mishap.

In the morning on Sunday, the Railway Minister had stated that those responsible for the mishap have been identified, but in the evening he sought a CBI probe into the accident, he said. This is unfortunate and such misleading utterances are not acceptable, Pattanayak said.

The Congress leader further demanded that at least one member  from the families of every deceased person should be provided with employment.

Bijay Patnaik also lashed out at Vaishnaw over the functioning of the Railways and sought his resignation. The Railway Minister should tender his resignation as he is running the Ministry in a careless manner, he said, adding that accountability should be fixed from top to bottom.