Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party cancelled their public events on Saturday as a mark of respect to those killed and injured in the Odisha train tragedy.
The incident, which occurred on Friday evening in Balasore, claimed the lives of at least 261 individuals and left nearly 1,000 injured as two passenger trains and a goods train derailed and collided on three tracks.
Expressing his condolences, Chief Minister Patel took to Twitter to express his deep sorrow and sympathies. He described the train accident in Balasore as a heart-wrenching event and extended his prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. Patel further stated that, in light of this tragedy, all his planned public programs for the day, including an event commemorating the completion of 9 years of the central government, would be postponed. He also urged for the souls of the departed to find eternal peace.
The BJP, in a gesture of solidarity, has decided to postpone all events that were scheduled to be held on Saturday as part of its month-long program highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi government over the past nine years. This includes the program of Union Minister for MSME, Narayan Rane, in Ahmedabad, where he was slated to attend a traders conference and visit a smart city project in commemoration of the nine years of the Modi government.
In a tweet Gujarat BJP chief CR Paatil said, “The train accident that occurred yesterday evening in Balasore, Odisha is very sad. Due to this tragedy, all other programs of the Bharatiya Janata Party for today including those organised on completion of nine years of central government have been postponed. I pray that God gives strength to the bereaved families to bear this pain and peace to the bereaved.”
Among the postponed events were CR Paatil’s attendance at the ground breaking ceremony of Narmada Sugar and the inauguration of a fertilizer plant in Narmada district. Additionally, he was scheduled to participate in a meeting of the Gujarat unit of the All India Sant Samiti at Vadtal in Kheda district.
The cancellation of these public events serves as a poignant reminder of the gravity of the Odisha train tragedy and the collective mourning shared by the leaders and the ruling party. As the nation grieves the loss of lives and prays for the recovery of the injured, efforts to provide support and assistance to those affected are underway.
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