Exit of Ashwini Vaishnaw from Ministry of Railways on card
Image credit X @BJP4India
JD (U) likely to stake claims on Ministry of Railways
By Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi, June 7: Union Minister for Railways in the second term of the Narendra Modi-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government appears on the way out from the coveted ministry. The Janata Dal (United) is set to stake claims on the Ministry of Railways.
The JD (U) MPs on Friday met ahead of the meeting of the NDA in the Central Hall of parliament. The JD (U) MPs have been learnt to have impressed upon the Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, to stake claims on the Ministry of Railways.
The Lok Jan Shakti Party (Ram Vilas) is also eyeing the Ministry of Railways. Both the JD (U) and the LJP (RV) are keen to get the Ministry of Railways to boost their images in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections next year.
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The Bihar chief minister had previously been the Minister for Railways. He helmed the Railways as a Cabinet Minister in the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA government at the Centre.
The LJP founder Ram Vilas Paswan had also been Minister for Railways. The LJP (RV) leaders argue that Chirag Paswan can inherit the legacy of his father by taking the charge of the Ministry of the Railways.
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Vaishnaw may final see exit from the Ministry of Railways if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parts ways with the portfolio of the national transporter. The JD (U) leaders claim that the party faced strong discontent in Bihar due to “extremely poor performance of the Railways in the last 10 years as seen in rise in ticket prices, as well as fewer options for travel”.
Vaishnaw had focussed more on launching the branded Vande Bharat which didn’t go well with the people of Bihar who mostly use the Railways for the transportation.
“Since the time of late LN Mishra, the Ministry of Railways had mostly been with the leaders from Bihar. Therefore, it’s natural that a JD (U) MP should take charge of the Ministry to improve the affairs of the Railways and make it people-friendly,” said a senior JD (U) functionary.
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The JD (U) leader also stated that Vaishnaw failed to improve the connectivity of the Railways in Bihar, while also not making the travel affordable. “The Railways is in a disappointing state of affairs. The JD (U) will restore the status of the Railways being people-friendly,” added the party MP.
The Modi council of minister is slated to take oath of offices on Sunday. The NDA is likely to finalise the distribution of ministries by tomorrow.
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