Odisha Train Crash: Mamata, Vaishnaw's Disagreement Over Death Toll In Front Of Media

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee engaged in a verbal duel over the death toll in the Odisha train accident.

During an interaction with the media, the Bengal CM claimed that she had information that the death count might exceed 500. Vaishnaw, who was standing next to her, disagreed with her and tried to correct her by saying "As per the Odisha government's data, the death toll is 238."

Banerjee then said that the figure (238) given by the Union Minister was from Friday. "Rescue work in three coaches is still not complete, hence the toll would go up further," she added.

Later, responding to a media question on the verbal duel with the Bengal CM, the Railway Minister said, "It is very clear that our CRPC lays out a clear procedure and the state (Odisha) government has time to time accurate information. As of now, the accurate information (of toll) is 261. So, we want full transparency, this is not time to do politics, this is time to focus on making sure that restoration happens at the earliest."

However, the death count in the Odisha train accident has reached 288 while 747 people were injured along with 56 grievously injured, Railways said.

On asking about the demand for his resignation, the Railway Minister said, "Which is absolutely fine. Our focus right now is on the restoration of services."

Meanwhile, the BJP has slammed Banerjee over the verbal duel with the Railway Minister. "Someone remind motor-mouth Mamata about her conduct as Railway Minister in 2010 after the Sainthia train accident. Barely hours after the accident, she was attending a political rally in Kolkata. And today, she has the audacity to lecture others!!" BJP spokesperson Priti Gandhi tweeted.

BJP IT-cell head Amit Malviya tweeted, "Just when one thinks Mamata Banerjee can't be further embarrassment to humanity, she surprises again..."

It has to be noted that Mamata Banerjee was the Railway Minister twice.

The train crash, the fourth deadliest in India according to available records, happened near Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore district, about 250 km south of Kolkata and 170 km north of Bhubaneswar, around 7 pm on Friday, prompting the Railway Ministry to order a probe.