'Modi Ruined Railways': Opposition Demands Ashwini Vaishnaw's Resignation Over Kanchenjunga Express Accident

Kanchanjunga Express accident: The Opposition has sought the resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw over the back-to-back major train accidents in two years.

Exactly a year after the Balasore train accident in Odisha, India was jolted by another massive train accident as the Kanchanjunga Express was hit by a goods train in Bengal's Darjeeling. The accident occurred near the Rangapani station around 8:45 am.

The Sealdah-bound Kanchanjunga Express was hit by the goods train on Monday, resulting in 5 deaths, including that of the driver of the freight train. However, his body is still stuck in the train. At least 30 people were injured in the accident.

The accident gave fuel to the Opposition to attack the PM Narendra Modi-led Centre and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari said, "The accidents show that the government is not paying attention to the safety of railways. The Railway Minister should resign on moral grounds."

The Congress, wishing for the quick recovery of the passengers injured in the accident, said that Prime Minister Modi has "ruined the railways". Congress leader Pawan Khera told ABP News: "The visuals remind us of the Coromandel Express accident. It shows us how the Railways has deteriorated in the last 7-8 years. The government has decided to adopt a strange policy concerning railways. Earlier the Railway Budget used to be separate. Now, that has been stopped."

"Just launching a few Vande Bharat trains cannot improve the quality of Railways. The state of passengers show us the poor condition of the Railways," he said.

He said that there was a time when Railway ministers would resign after accidents. "But now the Railway minister [Ashwini Vaishnaw] wants to be applauded just for visiting the accident site," Khera said. In 1956, Lal Bahadur Shastri quit as the Railway Minister after the Tamil Nadu train accident that claimed over 150 lives. He is among at least 2 Railway ministers who have resigned from their posts after major accidents. The other is BJP ally Nitish Kumar.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav asked in an X post: "Who is responsible for the continuous railway accidents in the country?" 

RJD leader Bhai Virendra said, "Accidents are bound to happen in a country where the railway sector has been privatised. Earlier, when accidents occurred during the Congress and UPA governments, ministers used to resign. Now, no minister resigns after such big accidents. We don't have any hope from this government... This government is a gang responsible for these things..."

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi government of mismanaging the Railway ministry and said that the Congress will hold the government accountable "for its criminal abandonment of the Indian Railways". "In the past 10 years, Modi Govt has indulged in the utter mismanagement of the Railway Ministry. As a responsible Opposition, it is our bounden duty to underline how the Modi Govt has systematically converted the Rail Ministry into a platform of 'Camera-driven' self-promotion! Today's tragedy is yet another reminder of this stark reality. Make no mistake, we will remain persistent with our questions and shall make the Modi Govt accountable for its criminal abandonment of the Indian Railways," he posted on X.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi criticised PM Modi-led government for "blatant negligence" and stated that as opposition the party will continue to hold centre accountable for these accidents.

"The news of the Kanchanjanga Express accident in West Bengal, resulting in the deaths of many people, is extremely sad. I express my deep condolences to all the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. The government should immediately provide full compensation to all the victims or their families. I request Congress workers to provide every possible assistance in relief and rescue efforts.The increase in train accidents over the past 10 years is a direct result of the mismanagement and negligence of the Modi government, which continuously endangers the lives and property of passengers," Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

"Today's accident is yet another example of this reality - as a responsible opposition, we will continue to question this terrible neglect and hold the Modi government accountable for these accidents," he added.