Gujarat bridge collapse: Cong demands judicial inquiry, says responsibility must be fixed
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Monday demanded a judicial inquiry into the Morbi suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat, alleging that prima facie it seems to be a case of "criminal negligence" and "gross misgovernance".
The Opposition party also sought financial and medical assistance from the government to all those affected.
At least 134 people have died in the bridge collapse. The more than a century-old bridge on the Machchhu river, which had reopened five days back after extensive repairs and renovation, was crammed with people when it collapsed on Sunday evening.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge paid homage to those killed in the tragedy, and said that may God give the strength to the families who have lost their loved ones to bear the loss.
Speaking with reporters here, he said the reasons for the collapse of the bridge that reopened five days ago, ought to be known.
"Why were so many people allowed. There should be an inquiry headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge," Kharge said.
The bereaved families and those affected should be provided all assistance and given compensation by the government, he said.
Those injured should be provided all assistance in medical treatment by the government, the Congress president said.
"Our (Congress) leaders have reached there. Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan chief minister) is also reaching. We will try to help out as much as possible. We don't want to indulge in any politics over it or blame anyone at this point of time. Blame can be established only when the report of the probe is out," he said.
In a statement, the party said Kharge was deeply saddened to learn that most of the dead were children, women and elderly people.
After learning about the tragedy, he immediately took stock of the situation last night, spoke to senior leaders of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress and urged them to ensure that party members and frontal organisations help in the rescue and relief work in every possible way, it said.
Kharge expects the government of Gujarat to provide immediate medical treatment to the injured and to search for all those still missing, besides providing appropriate financial assistance to the families of the bereaved and the injured, the party said.
Kharge has also demanded a judicial inquiry to investigate the cause of this accident, "which prima facie seems to be a case of criminal negligence and gross misgovernance", it said.
He also asserted that this is not the time for politicking, but said the responsibility of this tragic accident must be fixed and the guilty must be brought to book, only then can such incidents be prevented in the future.
Kharge has assured the people of Gujarat that the Congress party stands in solidarity with them, the statement said.
Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi also expressed grief over the incident. She offered her condolences to the families of the deceased in the tragic incident in Morbi, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet in Hindi.
In her condolence message, she said that the entire nation stands with the families of the victims in their hour of grief, according to Ramesh.
She prayed for the departed souls and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
Statement by :-
— INC Sandesh (@INCSandesh) October 31, 2022
Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge
on the tragic collapse of bridge in Morbi, Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/IymhMZcUgs
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
