PM Narendra Modi takes a dig at Rajasthan CM over developing railways, Ashok Gehlot replies in kind

JAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot traded punches on Wednesday over the latest 'political crisis' triggered by Sachin Pilot and how politics had hampered the development of railways in the past.
While the PM took a dig at Gehlot during the virtual inauguration of the state's first Vande Bharat Express train from New Delhi, 'thanking' him for his presence at the function despite facing a political crisis in the state, Gehlot responded later terming Modi's remarks as 'unfortunate' and aimed at the upcoming assembly elections in the state. "I especially express my gratitude to Gehlot ji. Despite going through a political crisis these days, he took out time for development work and took part in the railway programme," the PM said, hinting at Pilot's fast in protest against his own government.
PM's comments are unfortunate: Gehlot
Jaipur: Modi also targeted previous Congress governments in his speech, claiming the development work that should have been done after Independence was being carried out now by the BJP government.
"I want to say this to Gehlot ji, you have 'laddoos' in each of your hands. The railway minister is from Rajasthan and the chairman of the railway board is also from your state. And so work which should have been done immediately after Independence is being done today... I express my gratitude to you for the trust you have placed in me as a friend," the PM said.
He alleged an important need of citizens like the railways had turned into an arena of politics till 2014.
"India inherited a fairly big railway network at the time of Independence but political interest dominated the need for modernisation in the years after the country became free. Politics was evident in the selection of railway ministers, announcement of trains and even in recruitments. Land acquisition was done under the pretence of creating railway jobs and many unmanned crossings continued for a long time. Cleanliness and safety took a back seat. The situation took a turn for the better after 2014 when people elected a stable government with a big majority. When the pressure of the politics of give and take receded, the railways heaved a sigh of relief and sprinted to new heights," he said.
Terming the PM's comments as "unfortunate", Gehlot took to Twitter and said they were made with an eye on the upcoming assembly and general elections. He said it was unfair to say the railways had only developed after 2014.
"Today, your speech was in the form of the election agenda of the BJP. I believe that such comments will not be accepted by the people," Gehlot said.In a statement, he said, "It was unfortunate that the PM talked about the decisions taken during the tenure of former railway ministers as being influenced by corruption and political considerations."He accused Modi of reducing the importance of railways by doing away with the separate railway budget.
"Modern railways began with Manmohan Singh, who as the finance minister liberalised the economy in 1991 and gave new technology an opportunity to develop in India," he said.