Jagan Condemns Govt Failures After Simhachalam Deaths

YSR Congress Party President and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy strongly reacted to the tragic incident at Simhachalam. On Wednesday, he visited the families of those who died in a wall collapse at Simhachalam in Visakhapatnam district to offer his condolences. During his visit, he sharply criticized the current administration, particularly the arrangements made for the Chandana Utsavam festival.

Speaking to the media after his visit, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the loss of seven lives in the incident, pointing out that four of the deceased belonged to a single family. He conveyed his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. He alleged that despite the administration being aware that thousands of devotees would attend the event, the government failed to make even basic arrangements and did not provide necessary facilities for devotees.

Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy raised several questions about the construction of the wall that caused the tragedy. He claimed that the ten-foot-high and seventy-foot-long wall was constructed without issuing tenders, with work beginning only six days ago and finishing just two days before the incident. He alleged that instead of using concrete, the wall was built with fly ash bricks without proper quality standards. He also criticized the decision to set up queue lines adjacent to the newly built wall despite forecasts of rain, describing it as an example of government negligence. “Was the government unaware of when Chandana Utsavam was scheduled? If they knew, why were no precautionary measures taken in advance?” he questioned.

Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy stated that such horrific incidents during temple events are unfortunate and mentioned previous incidents during the tenure of N. Chandrababu Naidu. He recalled the stampede during Vaikuntha Ekadashi at Tirupati where six people died, alleged false propaganda over Tirumala laddu prasadam for political gain, the deaths of cows in goshalas, the demolition of the Kashi Viswanatha temple, the death of turtles at Srikurmam temple, and the death of 29 people during the Godavari Pushkarams. He claimed that no action was taken against those responsible in any of these incidents because of the alleged involvement of N. Chandrababu Naidu, accusing the latter of diverting public attention through political tactics. He further alleged that there was an attempt to blame his party for the Simhachalam tragedy, but stated that it was now evident that the wall was constructed just two days ago under the current government’s tenure.

Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy criticized the government’s announcement of ₹25 lakh compensation, claiming it was a mere formality triggered by his visit. He demanded a substantial increase in compensation, asserting that the government’s failure was evident. He promised that if his party returned to power, it would fully support the victim families in every way. He also advised the government that announcing compensation alone would not prevent such incidents in the future; only stringent action against those responsible could ensure such tragedies are not repeated.