…But blames Opp for not letting him speak

Not allowed to make a statement in Parliament, the Railway Minister more than made up for it outside. ‘‘I called up the Speaker and told him I would be reaching Parliament at 5 pm and would make a statement. I was there on time, but they did not want to listen to my statement,’’ he said. ‘‘It is their politics. I went to the the Upper House, why did they (BJP) not give me an opportunity to speak?’’

Ridiculing the Opposition’s demand for his resignation, he said: ‘‘Did their (NDA) ministers resign? There were so many rail accidents. How can they can now demand my resignation?’’

‘‘Let leaders of all the political parties pass a resolution that a Railway Minister will have to resign every time there is an accident. Work out an agreement in this regard and I will resign,’’ he added.

On his absence from the House, he said: ‘‘Wherever I was, Parliament is important for me, that is why I an here. And my MoS was there to make the statement.’’