RailEnquiry

Surat: The inauguration function for a new train between Udhna and Varanasi became the occasion for a slanging match between BJP and Congress MPs and their supporters at Udhna railway station on Monday. BJP MP CR Patil and Congress MP and Union minister Tushar Chaudhary launched verbal attacks on each other causing tension at the station. However, the train was somehow flagged off on its inaugural journey.Congress MP and minister of state for railways Bharatsinh Solanki was the chief guest at the function held at the Udhna railway station for the flagging-off of the new train. Other BJP and Congress leaders had also come for the function along with their supporters.When BJP MP from Navsari, CR Patil, was asked to address the gathering, Patil made a direct attack on Tushar Chaudhary, accusing him of making derogatory remarks against him.“It is shameful of Chaudhary to claim that continuous bickering by the BJP for a new train had delayed the proposal for two years. We have always fought for a good cause and our fight has always been peaceful,” Patil said.Patil’s statement made Congress supporters angry and they asked the BJP MP to get off the stage. Patil was somehow able to complete his speech.The situation threatened to turn ugly once again when Tushar Chaudhary got up to speak. Replying to Patil’s allegation, Chaudhary said that his statements against Patil were made at a political function while today they were both at a government function.

“We maintained the protocol and invited Patil to the inauguration of the new train. But I don’t remember BJP people ever inviting me or any other Congress leader to their function,” Chaudhary said.

This statement made BJP workers angry and they again began shouting slogans. The Congress workers responded by shouting slogans aggressively. Finally, Solanki intervened to calm tempers, and railway officials were finally successful in flagging off the new train.