Mon Feb 17 07:34:45 UTC 2025: **Samajwadi Party Leader Blasts BJP Over Maha Kumbh Mela Mismanagement, Demands Compensation for Victims**

LUCKNOW, INDIA – Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday, February 17, 2025, accusing it of gross mismanagement during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela. He demanded compensation for the families of those killed in accidents related to the religious event.

Yadav cited a surge in road accidents involving buses and vehicles transporting devotees, attributing the increase to heavy traffic congestion and fatigued drivers operating in hazardous conditions. He highlighted the government’s failure to effectively manage the event, stating that the only solution lies in better administration, a responsibility he claims the BJP government has failed to uphold.

His criticism extended beyond the immediate accident toll. Yadav accused the BJP of prioritizing self-promotion and publicity over the safety and well-being of pilgrims, alleging that more money was spent on advertising the event than on logistical arrangements. He further accused the BJP of:

* Using the religious event for political gain.
* Suppression of accident reports through media control.
* Downplaying casualty figures.
* Shifting blame for accidents onto others.
* Internal party discord following the event.

Yadav called for equal compensation for all victims – those who perished in accidents, stampedes, or from suffocation – and demanded financial assistance for the injured. He urged both the central and state governments to allocate funds for this purpose, questioning why billions could be spent on publicity but not on supporting bereaved families. The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is scheduled to conclude on February 26, 2025.

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