"Only capable of PR, not management...": Opposition Piles Blame on Modi Govt Over Delhi Stampede

At least 18 people were killed and more than a dozen others injured in a tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night. The incident, which occurred around 9:55 p.m. on platforms 14 and 15, unfolded as thousands of passengers rushed to board trains heading for Prayagraj, where the Maha Kumbh festival is currently underway. The incident has sparked a massive political storm, with opposition leaders swiftly holding the government accountable for the disaster. Several of them have demanded a full inquiry into the cause of the stampede, which they attribute to poor crowd management and negligence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his distress over the tragedy on social media, stating, "Distressed by the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery. The authorities are assisting all those who have been affected by this stampede."

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw also offered his condolences, saying, "Deeply saddened by the unfortunate stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station. My prayers are with all those who have lost their loved ones. The entire team is working to assist all those who have been affected by this tragic incident."

Despite official expressions of sympathy, opposition leaders were quick to point fingers at the government's "failure" to manage the crisis. 

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge condemned the Modi administration, calling the tragedy "extremely heartbreaking" and accusing the government of attempting to "hide the truth" regarding the deaths. He added, "We demand that the number of dead and injured be declared as soon as possible, and the identity of the missing people should also be ensured."

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, underscored the "lack of preparedness" at the station. "This incident once again highlights the failure of the Railways and the insensitivity of the government. Considering the large number of devotees going to Prayagraj, better arrangements should have been made at the station. The government and administration should ensure that no one has to lose their life due to mismanagement and negligence," said Gandhi. 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her condolences and highlighted the need for better crowd management, especially during major events like the Maha Kumbh. "The tragic loss of 18 lives in the Delhi stampede is deeply heartbreaking. Pilgrims on their way to the Maha Kumbh should have been met with proper support and facilities, not distress," she said. "It is essential to ensure that such journeys are safe and well-organised," she added. 

Other opposition leaders joined in the criticism. AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal described the incident as a sign of the government's incompetence. "A stampede at the heart of the national capital—this is incompetence at its peak. Where were the special arrangements for an event of this magnitude? The government cannot escape responsibility. This kind of a disaster taking place in the national capital, under the direct watch of the Central Government, shows that the government is utterly incompetent and is only capable of PR, not actual management," KC Venugopal said. 

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi demanded an independent investigation into the disaster, calling it "an avoidable tragedy." "The BJP government is trying to cover up what happened. An independent, judicially-monitored SIT should be appointed to investigate the tragedy and the systemic failures of Indian Railways," asserted the AIMIM Chief. 

AAP MP Raghav Chadha expressed frustration over the lack of action by the government, highlighting his earlier warnings in Parliament about the need for better crowd management at railway stations. "I raised concerns in Parliament about the urgent need for better railway crowd management, but the government ignored it. This is not an accident—it is criminal negligence," he said.

Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi also pointed out the "repeated" failures under the Modi government, stating, "Another tragic stampede, another failure of the Modi government. How many more lives must be lost before the Railway Minister takes responsibility?"