BJP and Congress workers were involved in a minor clash at Ottappalam railway station in Kerala on Thursday, as both parties claimed credit for getting a stoppage for the Bengaluru-Ernakulam Intercity Express.
Police intervened after the argument delayed the train’s departure, officials said.
The Railways introduced an experimental stoppage for the daily train at Ottappalam from October 15, according to a South Western Railway press release dated September 22, PTI reported. The stoppage is part of the Southern Railway’s latest operational changes announced in a press release issued on September 22.
Congress workers, meanwhile, credited Palakkad MP V K Sreekandan with securing the facility. He also alleged that the BJP had failed to secure the stoppage despite being in power at the Centre for the past 12 years.
BJP workers said the stoppage was granted following a request by party state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar . Leaders from both parties, including Sreekandan, also entered the locomotive cabin to greet the loco pilots, officials said. Addressing the gathering later, Sreekandan said he had repeatedly raised the demand during meetings with Union ministers and railway officials.
