Bengaluru: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday questioned the Congress party's stand against initiating a CBI inquiry into the Odisha triple train accident.

"At least Farooq Abdullah would like to have an inquiry. It should be done because people want to know why over 300 people died. Many families have been destroyed. So many are lying in the hospital with serious injuries. How can you say that they don't want to know what happened and why it happened, and who is responsible for doing this thing," he told reporters.

He made the comments after meeting former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda at his residence at Padmanabhanagar in the city.

"It is very sad…it was the biggest disaster of India. The inquiry must be made and hold the culprits responsible," Abdullah said.

Asked if it is necessary for the regional parties to come together against BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, Abdullah said it is not about the saffron party, but the question is about the nation and saving it from "division".

"The question is not about BJP, but it is about the nation. Do you want the nation to be divided on the basis of religion? You want the nation to be united .... That is what is important," he said.

"What unites us? It’s the desire to work together, to build this nation together and to grow together. That is what is important," he pointed out.

About his meeting with Deve Gowda, Abdullah said it was a courtesy call, and recalled Deve Gowda’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir to inaugurate Uri project and his tour to Rajouri, when nobody wanted to visit the state due to terrorism.

"Both places are close to the border. His visit showed to the world that Kashmir is part of this nation," Abdullah said.

(With UNI inputs)