The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mr Omar Abdullah, who supported the hike in railway fares, today said he would not mind being sacked for doing the right thing.
“If I had to be sacked, I’d rather be sacked for doing the right thing,” he wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter in reference to the demand for removal of the Railway Minister, Mr Dinesh Trivedi, by his own party the Trinamool Congress.
Mr Omar is among the few politicians who have supported the hike in train fares proposed by Mr Trivedi in his maiden Railway Budget tabled in the Lok Sabha yesterday.
“We take populism to ridiculous levels. I genuinely believe people would happily accept the modest hike if safety and quality of service are better,” the NC leader said.
“Populism will destroy the Indian Railways. Then where will the aam aadmi go?” he asked.
Mr Omar had words of sympathy for Mr Trivedi, wishing him well in whatever he does.
“What ever Dinesh bhai does, I wish him well. He’s a good and decent person and we shared some laughs at the Kolkata book fair recently,” he tweeted.
Mr Omar also said Mr Trivedi will be remembered for a long time due to the turn of events following the presentation of the Railway Budget by him.
“Long after other Railway Ministers are forgotten Dinesh Trivedi will still be an answer to a general knowledge or entrance test question,” he said.
Angered by Mr Trivedi’s proposal contained in the Railway Budget, the Trinamool Congress chief, Ms Mamata Banerjee, had written to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, last night seeking his removal and replacement with the Minister of State for Shipping, Mr Mukul Roy.