Daijiworld Media Network - Indore

Indore, Jan 17: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived in Indore on Saturday to meet families and patients affected by the recent outbreak of vomiting and diarrhoea linked to contaminated water in the Bhagirathpura area.

Gandhi visited patients undergoing treatment at Bombay Hospital, including several in critical condition, and interacted with their family members till around 12.15 pm, enquiring about their health and well-being. He is also scheduled to visit Bhagirathpura to meet affected families and understand their concerns, before departing for Delhi later in the day.

Reacting sharply to Gandhi’s visit, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav criticised the Congress leader, accusing him of politicising the tragedy. “Rahul Gandhi should go to Karnataka, where his party is in power and where 20 people have died. He did not show concern for Hyderabad. Thousands lost their lives in Bhopal during the gas tragedy under Congress rule, and the responsibility of letting Anderson escape lies with the Congress,” Yadav said.

The chief minister asserted that the state government was focused on people-centric governance and swift action following the Bhagirathpura incident. “For the first time since Independence, our government has suspended an IAS officer after this incident. Action has been taken against all five accused. In times of grief, the government stands sensitively with the affected. I personally visited the injured, and ministers along with the mayor are actively involved,” he said.

Yadav further alleged that Gandhi was attempting to draw political mileage from the tragedy and advised him to introspect on his family’s historical legacy.

Meanwhile, state Congress president Jitu Patwari reiterated that 24 people had died due to the contaminated water, with eight to ten patients still in serious condition. He said the Congress had planned a conference in Gandhi’s presence to deliberate on long-term solutions to prevent such incidents.

Senior BJP leader and former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan welcomed Gandhi’s visit, stating that in a democracy, the opposition has every right to raise issues. “Any constructive suggestions made should be seriously considered by the authorities concerned,” she said, adding that she had met Patwari earlier to discuss the outbreak and possible remedial measures.