The Congress in West Bengal today firmly stood behind Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and demanded a high-level inquiry into the train accident in the state's Sainthia town that killed at least 61 people.
"We demand a detailed and high-level inquiry into the incident. We want the truth
to come out. Rail tracks are soft targets. Memories of Gyaneshwari (express tragedy) are still fresh in our minds," West Bengal Congress president Manas Bhuniya said.
Bhuniya rubbished the state's ruling Left Front's observation that Banerjee was an incompetent railway minister.
"Mamata Banerjee is doing her best as a railway minister. She is a minister of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. She is a very efficient minister," added Bhuniya, who was on his way to the accident spot.
At least 61 people were killed and 157 injured early today after a speeding Sealdah-bound Uttar Banga Express rammed into three coaches of the stationary Bhagalpur-Ranchi Vananchal Express at Sainthia station in West Bengal's Birbhum district, about 190 km from Kolkata.