Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Saturday called for an investigation into the tragic triple train accident that occurred in Balasore, Odisha. The accident involving three trains caused the deaths of over 260 individuals and left almost 1,000 others injured. This request was made on Saturday, news agency PTI reported.
When questioned about the calls for Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to step down due to the recent tragedy, Pawar referenced the past event of Lal Bahadur Shastri resigning as railway minister following a train accident. Pawar suggested that those in positions of authority should take appropriate action.
On Friday night, there was a railway accident near Bahanagar Bazar station in the eastern region involving two trains, namely the Coromandel Express and the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, carrying a total of nearly 2,000 passengers, along with a goods train, resulting in a derailment-collision.
Pawar said: "It is an accident and everyone has sought an inquiry. Let the facts come out and after that suggestions can be made," PTI reported.
Speaking on some parties seeking the resignation of Vaishnaw, the NCP chief said: "When Lal Bahadur Shastri was the railway minister, an accident took place. Then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru was against Shastri's decision to resign, but Shastri believed it was his moral responsibility to quit."
"This example is known to the nation and those in power should do what they feel is appropriate," Pawar asserted.
In light of the train accident in Odisha, Digvijaya Singh, a Congress leader, has also demanded for the resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, drawing a comparison to former Railway Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
''The Railway Minister, who is an ex-IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, always claimed that the system is foolproof and no accident can occur,'' Singh told reporters in Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh. ''There is an example when Lal Bahadur Shastri had resigned after a train accident (in 1956) but we can't expect such a step from the (incumbent Railway) minister in the Modi cabinet. If a bit of shame is left, the minister (Vaishnaw) should resign," Singh was quoted by PTI in its report.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Odisha's Balasore where the triple train occurred Friday night and took stock of the situation. He also visited a hospital and met with the injured victims. The PM said those found guilty in the matter will be punished stringently.
"It's a painful incident. Govt will leave no stone unturned for the treatment of those injured. It's a serious incident, instructions issued for probe from every angle. Those found guilty will be punished stringently. Railway is working towards track restoration. I met the injured victims," he said.