The minister came under attack from Bharatiya Janata Party which said such incidents had been occurring because of her status as an “absentee” minister.

“The BJP feels the prime minister owes an explanation to the indifference and absenteeism of the railway minister,” party spokesperson Rajeev Pratap Rudy said here.

Rudy said the deaths at the station are “inexcusable and unpardonable.”
The Congress, however, defended ally Trinamool Congress leader Banerjee, saying it was the responsibility of the officials in charge of the station to supervise the crowd in the rush season.

Party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said the railway minister should take note of the incident.
“The railways should make special arrangements to handle the holiday season rush.   It should be ensured that such unfortunate incidents are not repeated,” he added.