June 3, 2023
3 mins read

Questions can wait, rescue & relief immediate task, says Kharge

The Congress president says party has many questions to ask the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister but those can wait since the immediate task is of rescue and relief, reports Asian Lite News

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday mourned the death of several passengers in Odisha’s Balasore train accident and said that questions with the government can wait till Sunday as rescue and relief is an immediate task.

Party leader Sonia Gandhi also mourned the death of the passengers in Balasore.

“I am most pained and anguished by the terrible train disaster in Odisha. I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to all the bereaved families,” Sonia Gandhi, who is the Chairperson of Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP), said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Kharge also mourned the death of the passengers in the train accident and said the party has many questions to ask the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister but those can wait since the immediate task is of rescue and relief.

In a statement, Kharge said, “At this moment of grave national tragedy on account of the terrible train disaster in Odisha, I have instructed the entire Congress party organisation to extend all possible and needed help.”

Kharge said that a number of Congress leaders from different states have either already reached or will soon be reaching Balasore.

“I once again extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. We have many questions to ask of the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister but those can wait since the immediate task is of rescue and relief,” the Congress chief said.

Echoing the views of Kharge, Congress General Secretary Communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh said, “The rail crash in Odisha is truly horrendous. It is a matter of the greatest anguish. It reinforces why safety should always be the foremost priority in the functioning of the rail network. There are many legitimate questions that need to be raised but that should wait till tomorrow.”

Rescue operation underway at the site where Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Express and a goods train met with an accident, in Balasore district, Saturday, June 03, 2023. (Photo: Biswanath swain/IANS)

The remarks of the Congress leaders came after 261 people died in a train accident near Bahanaga Bazar railway station in Odisha on Friday evening. Over 900 people have also been injured and are admitted in several hospitals.

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal said that party chief Mallikarjun Kharge has deputed Lok Sabha Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and AICC In-Charge A. Chella Kumar to immediately visit the crash site in Odisha to take stock of the situation and oversee relief efforts being undertaken by Congress workers and frontal organisations.

Earlier in the day, Gurdeep Singh Sappal, AICC Incharge-Admin & Coordinator Office of Congress President tweeted, “Resignation in such cases are expected not just on moral grounds. Resignation is also a means to ensure that those in power and accountability for the accident do not influence such ‘high level inquiry’. That’s why the norm is that the officers in the chain of command are suspended and the minister resigns!”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a high level meeting with the officials and several ministers of his government over the train accident. He also left for Odisha to visit the accident site.

The rescue operation has been completed at the derailment site and restoration work has started.

ALSO READ: World leaders condole deaths in Odisha train accident

Previous Story

World leaders condole deaths in Odisha train accident

Next Story

Pakistan initiates barter trade with Afghanistan, Iran & Russia

Latest from -Top News

Trump due in Saudi, UAE amid new tariffs

The GCC bloc, which includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, has been hit with a 10% tariff, placing them among the lower-tiered rates US President Donald Trump has

China Says US Tariff Hikes Violate WTO Rules

China is among the hardest-hit, facing a 34 per cent levy—part of what Washington describes as reciprocal measures aimed at rebalancing trade deficits and curbing unfair trade practices China has strongly condemned

Modi Due in Sri Lanka to Cement Ties

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha described the visit to island nation as “very important” and likely will set a fresh agenda for bilateral cooperation Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit

India Acts as ‘First Responder’ in Myanmar: Jaishankar

Jaishankar took the opportunity to underscore India’s swift humanitarian response, highlighting Operation Brahma, which was launched to assist those affected by the earthquake. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday expressed India’s
Go toTop

Don't Miss

‘Thackeray offered CM post to Shinde in May’

Thackeray added that the group of MLAs – currently camping

SC seeks response from Ola in predatory pricing case

Meru Cabs had approached the top court challenging the order