Shubhendu Adhikari reminded Abhishek Banerjee of Janeshwari train accident, asked- Did Mamata Banerjee resign then?

• BJP's Shubhendu Adhikari questions Mamata Banerjee's past response to a train accident, criticizing TMC's Abhishek Banerjee for political games
• Adhikari praises Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and PM Modi's commitment to accountability in the aftermath of the Odisha train accident
• TMC's Abhishek Banerjee demands the resignation of the Railway Minister, highlighting the grief of families affected by the accident

In the aftermath of the tragic train accident in Odisha, political tensions have escalated between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). The latest exchange took place between Bengal BJP leader Shubhendu Adhikari and TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee, as they traded barbs over the incident.

Shubhendu Adhikari retaliated against Abhishek Banerjee's criticism by questioning whether Mamata Banerjee, when she was the Railway Minister, had resigned from her post following the Janeshwari train accident in 2010, which claimed the lives of approximately 150 passengers.

Adhikari took to Twitter, dismissing Banerjee as a less educated person who entered politics due to family connections, and criticized him for engaging in petty politics without allowing 48 hours to pass after the accident.

Adhikari went on to praise the current Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnav, highlighting his educational background as an IITian and former 1994 batch IAS officer. Adhikari deemed Vaishnav the most suitable person to handle the crisis and expressed confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance that the culprits would be held accountable.

Furthermore, Adhikari indirectly referenced Chhatradhar Mahato, stating that the accused in the Janeshwari train accident had been charged by the CBI. He mentioned that Mahato, a leader from the TMC, was included in the state committee of the party by Banerjee's aunt after his release from jail in 2020.

Abhishek Banerjee, on the other hand, called for the resignation of the Railway Minister, criticizing him for not prioritizing effective safety measures and instead engaging in gimmicks. He emphasized the immense grief and shock experienced by more than 1,000 families affected by the Odisha train accident. The death toll currently stands at 288, with hundreds of people injured