Rahul Gandhi in Indore Today, to Meet Families Affected by Water Contamination Deaths
The Congress MP and Leader of Opposition will meet bereaved families in Bhagirathpura as the party announces protests and the BJP accuses it of politicising the tragedy.
New Delhi, Jan 17 : Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, will visit Indore on Saturday to meet families affected by a water contamination tragedy that has claimed nearly two dozen lives in recent weeks.
The deaths were reported from the Bhagirathpura area of the city, with families alleging that contaminated drinking water led to the fatalities. The incident has sparked public anger and triggered a sharp political confrontation in BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh.
The Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee confirmed Gandhi’s visit, stating that he would meet the affected families as a gesture of solidarity.
Alongside the visit, the Congress has announced a large protest in Indore, holding the local administration responsible for the tragedy. Senior party leaders, including state Congress president Jitu Patwari and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Umang Singhar, are expected to participate. The party has also called for a statewide protest on January 17.
“A statewide protest will be organised across Madhya Pradesh on January 17, during which Congress workers will hold sit-ins at Mahatma Gandhi statues,” the party’s media cell said in a statement to IANS.
The visit has heightened political tensions, with the BJP accusing the Congress of using the tragedy for political gain. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the state government had acted with sensitivity and seriousness in response to the incident.
“It is unfortunate that the Congress treats disasters as an opportunity for politics. We have taken the issue very seriously and felt the pain of the affected families with sensitivity. Suggestions are welcome, but politicising a disaster will not be forgiven by the people of Indore,” Yadav said while speaking at the AMRUT 2.0 programme in the city.
Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, who represents the Indore-1 Assembly constituency that includes Bhagirathpura, also criticised the Congress for questioning Indore’s reputation as the country’s cleanest city. Calling the situation a challenge, he said the government would continue to address the issue while focusing on the city’s development.
