"Extremely sad and worrisome": BSP Supremo Mayawati on Maha Kumbh incident

Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 29 (ANI): Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Supremo Mayawati on Wednesday expressed concern over the stampede-like situation at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj and termed the incident "extremely sad and worrisome."
"The devotees who lost their lives and got injured in the stampede at the Maha Kumbh at the Sangam in Prayagraj is an extremely sad and worrisome news. At such a time, the party wishes that family of victims have the strength to bear this sorrow," Mayawati said on X.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has expressed sadness over the casualties of devotees in an accident "caused by mismanagement" in Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
"The news of casualties of devotees in an accident caused by mismanagement in Maha Kumbh is extremely sad," Akhilesh Yadav said on X.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge blamed the administration for the incident saying that paying more attention to self-promotion than management and mismanagement are responsible for this.
"During the Maha Kumbh, the news of stampede on the banks of Teerthraj Sangam in which several people lost their lives and many others got injured is extremely heart-rending. Our deepest condolences to the families of the devotees and we wish for the speedy recovery of the injured. Half-baked arrangements, VIP movement, paying more attention to self-promotion than management and mismanagement are responsible for this," Kharge said.
A stampede-like situation arose at the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj in the early hours of Wednesday, resulting in several injuries. This incident occurred as millions of devotees gathered at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers to take a holy dip on the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya, which is also the day of the Second Shahi Snan.
Speaking to media, Special Executive Officer Akanksha Rana said, "On the Sangam routes, a stampede-like situation arose after some barriers broke. Some people have been injured. They are under treatment. It is not a serious situation."
Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah reached out to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, assuring him of full support from the Centre.
'Mauni Amavasya,' which marks the day of the second Shahi Snan, is expected to draw a crowd of 80-100 million people. Other significant days during the Maha Kumbh include February 3 (Basant Panchami), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri). (ANI)