A tragic diarrhoea outbreak in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore has resulted in the deaths of 10 people, exposing serious lapses within the BJP-led Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC). Four days after the incident, a bitter blame game erupted between elected representatives and civic officials, even as the state government stepped in to take punitive action.
Blame Game Erupts in High-Level Meeting
The fissures within the administration became public during a high-level meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Sanjay Dubey, who oversees urban development, on Thursday. Sources indicate the meeting grew tense as BJP corporators, including the city mayor, pointed fingers at IMC officials for ignoring public complaints and their directives. Mayor Pushyamitra Bhargava later told reporters that instructions on water and sewerage works were not properly followed, demanding strict action.
This resentment was echoed by BJP corporator Abhishek Sharma, in-charge of water works, and former MLA Mahendra Hardia, who alleged official apathy during the closed-door discussions. The conflict escalated on Friday, with ward corporator Kamal Waghela criticizing the slow response, noting that the precise cause of contamination remained unclear almost a week later.
Chief Minister Intervenes, Suspends Officials
The political pressure mounted, leading to direct intervention by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. The state government first issued a show-cause notice to IMC Commissioner Dileep Kumar Yadav and shunted out Additional Commissioner Rohit Sisoniya. However, in a significant late-night development, the CM took stricter action.
Commissioner Dileep Kumar Yadav was removed from his post, while Additional Commissioner Rohit Sisoniya and PHE engineer in-charge Sanjeev Srivastava were suspended. This decisive move came amid mounting criticism over the civic body's failure to prevent the public health crisis.
Officials Deny Negligence Amid Mounting Criticism
Despite the allegations from elected representatives, the IMC commissioner had earlier denied any possibility of negligence on the part of the officials. This defense, however, stood in stark contrast to the grim reality on the ground and the subsequent administrative shake-up ordered by the highest levels of the state government.
The tragedy in Bhagirathpura has put a harsh spotlight on the coordination—or lack thereof—between the political wing and the executive machinery of one of Madhya Pradesh's most prominent cities. The incident raises urgent questions about water safety protocols and accountability in urban governance.
