Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee president Raghu Veera Reddy on Tuesday blamed Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for the tragic Rajahmundry stampede and demanded a compensation of 25 lakhs to the families of all the victims.
"It is very unfortunate that more than 25 people have died and 50 people have got injured. I hold Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu responsible for this. Inspite of spending 1300 crores, hardy any preventive measures were taken. He himself claimed that he will be responsible for all the arrangements, ultimately this Pushkaralu landed with more than 25 deaths," Reddy told ANI here.
Reddy said that 25000 people were made to wait for three hours due to the chief minister's bath at the Saraswati Ghat.
"So, personally also he is responsible for this disaster and a very sad incident. We demand a compensation of 25 lakhs to all the victim families and they should take care of the people who are admitted in the hospital. We demand for an immediate inquiry and the chief minister should seek apology for his failure," he added.
The death toll of the Pushkar ghat stampede in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday rose to 29.
The tragedy took place during the 'Pushkaram' festival.
Officials fear that the death toll is likely to rise as some of the injured are in a serious condition.
The Andhra Pradesh state government has announced a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the incident.
Senior politicians including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and vice-president Rahul Gandhi expressed shock over the tragic stampede.
