BJP hits out at Congress for protest at SCR headquarters

Hitting out at Telangana Congress leaders for staging a dharna at the railways zonal headquarters here over their demand for special trains to transport party workers to Delhi, the BJP on Thursday alleged that the protest was another attempt by the grand old party to create a political controversy.

The protest at the South Central Railway (SCR) headquarters was a Congress ploy to blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, suggesting they directed the Railways to reject the request, Telangana BJP chief spokesperson NV Subhash said.

Questioning the Congress party’s understanding of railway procedures, he pointed out that special train bookings require planning and compliance with prescribed formalities.

“How can a party that ruled the country for six decades claim ignorance of the basic procedures for booking special trains? Such requests must be routed through the designated Indian Railways channels, including IRCTC’s Full Tariff Rate (FTR) facility, with the requisite advance notice and approvals,” Subhash said in a statement.

He also expressed concern that repeated political agitations in Delhi are affecting traders during the festive season.

Referring to representations by Delhi traders about business losses during Navaratri and Dussehra, he said political parties should not ignore the economic hardship ordinary people and small businesses face.

With Deepavali approaching and the Railways already operating special services to manage the seasonal rush, Subhash said the opposition could have explored alternatives, including requesting additional coaches, subject to operational feasibility and railway approval.

“People are growing tired of political theatrics that offer no solutions. Instead of introspecting after repeated electoral setbacks, the Congress continues to resort to protests and blame games,” he said.

He said opposition parties should follow established procedures rather than politicise administrative decisions and inconvenience the public during the festive season.

The ruling Congress in Telangana protested at the SCR headquarters here on October 28, alleging that the Railways refused to provide special trains for party workers travelling to New Delhi for a rally against the SIR of electoral rolls.

State Congress president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, several party MLAs and MPs, and other leaders participated in the protest outside the South Central Railway General Manager’s office.

Goud alleged that the denial of special trains was at the behest of PM Modi and Amit Shah.