Sunday, April 24 2005 15:36 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today (Apr 24, 2005) sought the 'removal' of Railway Minister Laloo Prasad from office for his 'failure' to take steps to prevent rail accidents.

"Though there have been frequent rail accidents, Laloo, instead of paying attention to railway safety, is now trying to cover up the issue by accusing the Gujarat Government" (for the violence against him when he visited the site), BJP senior vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu said in Chennai, while referring to the Samaliya rail mishap.

Naidu said that Laloo had no interest in creating infrastructure for the future and providing amenities for the passengers. He has also not bothered to look at the previous National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government's Rs 17,000 crore railway safety action programme.

"A spate of rail accidents have occurred, due to which discontentment is brewing and criticism is increasing. He is creating a scene to divert the attention of the people," Naidu alleged.

It was 'shocking' to know that Laloo had not even intimated the Gujarat Government about his visit to the accident spot. The Modi Government came to know about it only after being informed by the Air Traffic Control, Baroda.

"But he is now criticising the Gujarat Government and the language he has used is highly provocative. He has failed in his responsibilities and flouted all norms as a Minister. Hence the BJP feels he should be removed and that the Centre should seriously take steps to prevent railway accidents", Naidu said.