Suresh Prabhu offers to quit after 2 train mishaps, Modi asks him to 'wait'
At least 20 people were killed in a train mishap on Saturday, while 100 people were injured in an accident on Wednesday.
New Delhi: Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday took “full moral responsibility” for the train accidents that have happened recently. He has also offered to resign from his post, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked him to "wait".
“I met the Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking full moral responsibility. Hon’ble PM has asked me to wait,” Prabhu tweeted.
His remarks, through his official Twitter handle, come after at least 20 people were killed in an accident in Khatauli in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. Fourteen coaches of the high-speed Utkal Express jumped off the rails, with one of them crashing into a house adjacent to the track near Khatauli.
Another accident took place early on Wednesday in Auraiya district of Uttar Pradesh. At least 50 people were injured after nine coaches of the Delhi-bound Kaifiyat Express derailed in the district.
“Accountability is a good system in government,” Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said after Prabhu offered to resign. "Prime Minister will take a decision on whatever request the railways minister has made," ANI quoted Jaitley as saying.
I met the Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi taking full moral responsibility. Hon’ble PM has asked me to wait. (5/5)
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017
“In less than three years as Minister, I have devoted my blood and sweat for the betterment of the Railways. Under leadership of PM, tried 2 overcome decades of neglect through systemic reforms in all areas leading 2 unprecedented investment and milestones,” Prabhu said in a series of tweets.
“New India envisioned by PM deserves a Rlys which is efficient and modern. I promise that is the path, on which Rlys is progressing now. I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish,” he tweeted further.
In less than three years as Minister, I have devoted my blood and sweat for the betterment of the Railways (1/5)
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017
Undr leadership of PM, tried 2 overcome decades of neglect thru systemic reforms in all areas leading 2 unprecedented investment& milestones
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017
New India envisioned by PM deserves a Rlys which is efficient and modern. I promise that is the path, on which Rlys is progressing now (3/5)
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017
I am extremely pained by the unfortunate accidents, injuries to passengers and loss of precious lives. It has caused me deep anguish (4/5)
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) August 23, 2017
The Congress had on Tuesday demanded Prabhu’s resignation, taking moral responsibility for the Utkal Express derailment in Muzaffarnagar.
Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari had said Prabhu should introspect and reflect on what has happened and sending some officials on leave "mocks" the unfortunate deaths.
"The Congress demands that Suresh Prabhu, Railways Minister, should immediately resign from his position," he told reporters.