Maha Kumbh stampede: BJP MLA accuses UP officials of working under influence of Samajwadi Party
Ghaziabad, Feb 2 (PTI): BJP MLA from Uttar Pradesh's Loni, Nand Kishore Gujjar, on Sunday demanded a high-level probe into the Maha Kumbh stampede alleging that "officials in UP were working under the influence of the Samajwadi Party."
His comment comes a day after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hinted at a conspiracy to undermine Sanatan Dharma and the Maha Kumbh.
At least 30 people were killed and 60 others injured in a stampede that broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on January 29.
Gujjar also accused the officers of prioritising VIP treatment for their families while ordinary pilgrims struggled at the Maha Kumbh.
"MLAs, who hold a higher position than officers, were forced to stand in queues while bureaucrats' wives received VIP protocol," he told PTI.
A video of Gujjar’s statement has gone viral on the social media platform X, where he said that it was not the deaths (of pilgrims) but murders.
"I urge CM Yogi Adityanath to register an FIR against the Chief Secretary and his associates for looting the Maha Kumbh budget. He is responsible for the deaths of pilgrims (at the Maha Kumbh) and should be jailed under the NSA," he alleged.
After the incident, the UP government has already constituted a three-member judicial commission headed by former Justice Harsh Kumar, which will also include former DGP VK Gupta and retired IAS officer DK Singh. The Commission has begun its probe.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also announced an ex gratia of Rs 25 lakh each for the kin of the deceased.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
