Railway platforms are not highways, Mr Gowda

In what can be termed as a gross violation of rules and utter misuse of power, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, along with his posse, drove two Toyota Fortuners onto the platform of Bangalore City railway station.

What's more, Deve Gowda got the cars parked right next to the train to see off farmers leaving for New Delhi on Tuesday to attend a protest rally he had organized. Gowda took a later flight to Delhi.

Akhil Agarwal, the divisional railway manager (DRM), said, "I don't know if Deve Gowda really required this special arrangement. Vehicles aren't allowed onto the railway platforms except for any medical emergency."

However, officials from South Western Railway claimed that Deve Gowda didn't violate any railway rules as he travelled just 10-15 metres from the main gate.

Milind Dharamsena, state general secretary JD (S), said, "Deve Gowda has been suffering from gastroenteritis and thus was unable to walk. We requested the railways to grant us the permission to let him drive up the platform to which they obliged."

Sources within the party said Gowda was hindered by his leg ailments. As he was on an official tour, he was left with no choice but to take the vehicles inside the station. "Several politicos, including the Chief Minister Yeddyurappa, do the same while they leave for official trips," a party functionary said.

Party officials even claimed that Deve Gowda has a special privilege of getting driven up to an aircraft at any airport to avoid security hassles. However, government rules do not permit this.

A R Infant, Additional Director General of Police, Railways, denied any knowledge of the incident. "It is a matter concerning the former prime minister's security. I cannot comment on this," he said.