New Delhi, Jan 2 (UNI) Launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led “double-engine” government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday labeled Madhya Pradesh the “epicenter of misgovernance” following a deadly water contamination crisis in Indore that has claimed at least 10 lives.
In a sharp statement, Gandhi accused the administration of “slumbering like Kumbhakarna” while sewage-mixed water—which he described as “distributed poison”—was supplied to the residents of Bhagirathpura area in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh.
“Clean water is not a favor; it is a right to life,” Gandhi stated. “For the murder of this right, the BJP’s negligent administration and its callous leadership are entirely responsible,” he said.
The crisis has sent shockwaves through Indore, a city frequently celebrated as India’s cleanest. Investigations revealed a catastrophic lapse: a public toilet at a police outpost was reportedly constructed directly over a decades-old Narmada water pipeline.
A rupture in the line allowed raw sewage to seep into the drinking water supply, leading to a massive outbreak of gastroenteritis.
While the official death toll remains a point of contention—with the health department confirming four deaths and local residents claiming as many as 14, including a six-month-old infant—the scale of the illness is undisputed.
Over 1,400 people have been affected, with more than 200 currently hospitalized.
Gandhi highlighted the desperation of the poor who have been left helpless as mourning spreads from “home to home.” He questioned why repeated complaints about foul-smelling water were ignored by officials until it was too late.
“Those whose hearths have gone cold needed solace; the government served up hubris instead,” Gandhi said, referring to “arrogant statements” from BJP leaders.
His remarks come amidst a political storm fueled by a viral video showing MP Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya snapping at a journalist for asking “worthless questions” about the contamination.
The Congress leader linked the Indore tragedy to a broader pattern of administrative failure in the state, citing recent reports of deaths linked to cough syrup and incidents where rats allegedly bit infants in government hospitals.
“Every time the poor die, Modi ji, as always, remains silent,” Gandhi added, demanding immediate action against irresponsible officers and leaders.
