Amid criticism from the Madhya Pradesh government, the Congress supported Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Indore following deaths from contaminated water. Gandhi visited the Bhagirathpura area, where nearly two dozen people lost their lives due to consuming polluted water. The Chief Minister had accused Gandhi of politicizing the issue a day before his visit.
Responding to the Chief Minister’s remarks, Congress MP Tariq Anwar stated that Gandhi’s visit was essential and appropriate. Anwar emphasized the importance of Gandhi witnessing the situation firsthand to understand the gravity of the crisis. He highlighted Indore’s usual top ranking in cleanliness, making the incident a significant cause for concern.
Anwar dismissed Chief Minister Yadav’s allegations, deeming them unjustified. He mentioned that Gandhi’s efforts always focus on issues directly impacting people, emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of the visit. Senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel criticized the BJP government for governance failures leading to the tragedy in a city known for its cleanliness.
Baghel pointed out the disconnect between Indore’s cleanliness reputation and the lack of proper facilities due to governance issues. He blamed the BJP-led government for the situation and criticized a Minister’s offensive statements. Baghel highlighted Gandhi’s visit as a gesture of solidarity with the affected families, questioning the politicization accusations.
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput held the ruling BJP responsible for the tragedy, citing the party’s control over various governmental bodies in the affected area. Rajput emphasized Gandhi’s visit as a means to amplify the victims’ voices in Parliament and the Supreme Court. He urged victims to question why they received contaminated water despite their support for the BJP.
The situation in Indore also drew reactions from other Opposition parties. Samajwadi Party’s Fakhrul Hasan Chand highlighted the contradictions in the BJP’s claims, pointing out the water crisis in a city governed by the party. Chand expressed solidarity with the affected families and praised Gandhi’s visit as a show of support during their distress.
