Coromandel train accident: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee slams Modi govt

Abhishek said, "The Modi government boasts of the Vande Bharat trains and newly constructed railway stations, hastily inaugurating projects to bolster political support by misleading the public.

"Despite technological advancements, on one hand the government resorts to software such as Pegasus to spy on opposition leaders, SC judges, journalists but on the other hand neglects to implement GPS and anti-collision devices to prevent unfortunate incidents."

"Tragically, it is the impoverished and marginalized who bear the brunt of these actions, whether it be through Demonetisation, GST, Hasty Lockdowns, Draconian Farm Laws or inadequate railway safety measures.

"The visuals are heart-wrenching. Over one hundred lives have been lost, and the Prime Minister bears a considerable amount of responsibility," he stated.

"My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured and if there remains a semblance of conscience, the Railway Minister should resign. NOW," the TMC MP asserted.

The death count zoomed to 233 in the ghastly train tragedy in Odisha's Balasore district on Saturday as the Army was called in to assist in the rescue operation, a top official said.

The number of injured have gone up to 900, said Chief secretary P K Jena.

"Death toll in the train accident is increasing. Latest report from the accident site puts the figure at 207. No of Injured has been about 900," Jena said on Twitter, quoting the information provided by the Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu.