A race has begun between Hemant Soren-led Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and BJP for the credit of Ranchi-Godda Express train service, which was launched as an extension of existing Ranchi Dumka train service.

Godda MP Nishikant Dubey, who was present at a function held in Godda Railway station on Saturday, accused the ruling party of taking undue credit for the launch. Dubey took to Facebook to express his reservations over the issue.

In another social media post, he also accused Congress MLA from Poreyahat Pradeep Yadav of misconduct with the Railway officials during the function.

In a video post on Facebook and twitter, he also accused the state government of playing politics over the matter. Dubey said, “What can better explain the mentality of a state government which is unable to deliver the goods during the past three years? We fought hard for the resumption of the extended train service, but rivals are out to take the credit for the same. Sadly, we were denied the due credit."

A host of dignitaries, including Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who attended the event from New Delhi and state transport minister Champai Soren were present at the virtual launch of the train service,

Godda MP, Nishikant Dubey, local BJP MLA Amit Mandal and Poreyaat MLA Pradeep Yadav were also present at the event.

Dubey and Mandal, who were supposed to sit at the dais, preferred to sit with their party workers at different places.

Authorities made elaborate security arrangement at the railway station to prevent any untoward incident between BJP and JMM.

All hell broke loose when railway officials invited BJP district president Rajiv Mehta to speak at the function. Soon Pradeep Yadav lost his cool and expressed his dismay over the fact that BJP president was called to address the function while Congress and JMM leaders were overlooked.

Transport minister Champai Soren also expressed his ire over the fact. He said that the state government is ready to extend support for extension of train service up to Mahgama.