By Our Correspondent
BALASORE/BHUBANESWAR: With Balasore Bahanaga Train mishap still fresh in mind while death toll had already touched 292, Union Railways Minister AshwiniVaishnaw, who was recently under Opposition fire, on Wednesday, ignited a fresh speculation amid talks of early Lok Sabha polls.
Railways Minister Vaishnaw while attending a function in Balasore on International Yoga Day, recalls his days as District Collector during the tragedy days of the 1999 Super and urged the people of Balasore to address him as ‘Bhai and not Sir’.
‘ You people have very old relationship with me, When I was District Collector, you people used to fondly call me as Bhai, and I want the same now and I urged you all to call me as Ashwini bhai not sir,” he said adding same Ashwini bhai is here now.
Union Railways Mnister’s such sudden bonhomie has sparked speculation about his possible candidature from Balasore Lok Sabha seat, presently held by BJP’s Pratap Sarangi. Earlier talks were round the clock as the BJP may field Vaishnaw from Cuttack Lok Sabha seat.
Sources said, Vaishnaw’s Bhai politics may dampen the possible candidature of incumbent Pratap Sarangi in Balasore.
