The political temperature in Madhya Pradesh soared on Thursday as opposition parties launched a fierce assault on the state's BJP-led administration. The trigger was a tragic incident of water contamination in Indore's Bhagirathpura area, which has led to multiple deaths and hospitalizations.
Opposition Alleges Negligence and Concealed Death Toll
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi and Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari led the charge, accusing the government of gross misgovernance and attempting to hide the actual scale of the tragedy. While the state administration has officially confirmed four fatalities so far, local residents and opposition leaders insist the number is significantly higher.
Owaisi criticized the government's priorities, stating that the focus on "bulldozers and demolitions" had come at the cost of providing basic amenities like clean drinking water. He highlighted the irony of India aiming to be a 'Vishwaguru' while its citizens die from contaminated water. The AIMIM chief also accused the BJP of double standards, citing the alleged free rein given to vigilante groups.
Congress leader Jitu Patwari was more direct in his allegations. He claimed that reports indicated 13 deaths, including that of a six-month-old child, contradicting Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's figure of four. "Is hiding the figures of death the responsibility of a Chief Minister? This is a murderer government," Patwari told ANI. He linked the incident to other recent failures, including the cough syrup tragedy that claimed 25 young lives and cases of children being bitten by rats at Indore's MY Hospital.
Official Response and Conflicting Claims
The state government presented a different account. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the situation as "emergency-like" and promised zero tolerance for negligence. He announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for each bereaved family and free treatment for all affected. According to the administration, 149 people were hospitalized, with 162 still under treatment as of the latest update.
However, confusion reigned over the death toll. Indore District Magistrate Shivam Verma supported the official count of four deaths. In contrast, Indore Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava stated that seven people had died. Adding to the discrepancy, Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, whose constituency includes Bhagirathpura, said he had received information about eight to nine deaths from local sources, promising verification and subsequent aid.
A preliminary investigation pointed to a leakage that allowed drainage water to seep into the drinking water pipeline, causing the outbreak. The administration has suspended two officials and dismissed a sub-engineer. A three-member committee headed by an IAS officer has been formed to probe the incident.
Political Fallout and Minister's Controversial Remark
The crisis took a further political turn when Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya lost his temper during a media interaction, using an objectionable word on camera. The Congress immediately demanded his resignation, citing arrogance. Vijayvargiya later expressed regret, attributing his words to the "state of deep grief" and vowing to ensure public safety.
Patwari, besides demanding Vijayvargiya's removal, called for registering culpable homicide cases against responsible officials and the Indore mayor. He also demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore for each affected family and the appointment of an independent in-charge minister for Indore.
While the immediate leak has been repaired and water supply restored, the incident has exposed deep administrative and political fissures. With survey teams covering nearly 2,700 houses and health workers distributing ORS packets, the focus remains on containing the health crisis. Yet, the fundamental conflict over the death toll and accountability ensures this issue will remain a flashpoint in Madhya Pradesh politics for the foreseeable future.
