Rahul Gandhi Takes 'Smart City' Jab At BJP After Meeting Water Contamination Victims In Indore

Last Updated:January 17, 2026, 20:10 IST

Rahul Gandhi arrived in Indore to meet patients and families affected by the water contamination in the city, which has killed more than 20 people.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met the families of the victims of the water contamination in Indore. (X/@RahulGandhi)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi blamed the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government’s negligence for the deaths linked to the contaminated drinking water in India’s cleanest city, Indore, calling it a new smart city model with no drinking water.

Rahul Gandhi arrived in Indore on Saturday to meet patients and families affected by the water contamination in the city, which has killed more than 20 people. He visited patients undergoing treatment at Bombay Hospital and enquired about their health and met their family members in Bhagirathpura.

After meeting the families, he attacked the central government, saying Indore is a new model smart city that doesn’t even have clean drinking water. “This is the urban model. This isn’t just about Indore. This is happening in cities across the country," he said.

‘Families Being Intimidated’

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha later visited the Bhagirathpura area, where the outbreak was reported last month, and spoke to the families of the deceased persons. “It’s the government’s responsibility to provide clean water to people and reduce pollution. But the government isn’t fulfilling these responsibilities," he told reporters after meeting families of victims.

“People are being intimidated," he alleged, adding that someone in the government must be held responsible for the drinking water disaster in Indore. “People in Indore have died after drinking contaminated water due to the government’s negligence. In such a situation, the government should provide full support and adequate compensation to the victims," he demanded.

He further emphasised that clean drinking water is a public right, and accused the BJP of shirking responsibility while people were dying and families were falling apart. “This government’s attitude is extremely insensitive and will not be tolerated," he said.

Congress leaders said that in Gandhi’s presence, the party provided financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to 16 affected families, while the leader of the opposition in the assembly, Umang Singhar, provided an aid of Rs 50,000 each.

BJP’s ‘Disaster Tourist’ Jibe At Gandhi

Meanwhile, BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya took a jibe at Gandhi for visiting the victims of the Indore water contamination, calling him a ‘disaster tourist’ who is preoccupied with photo ops and leaves the area without doing anything.

“Whoever comes to our city, we welcome them, whether they come as a tourist or in any other form. The situation is fully under control. He always comes as a tourist. This time, he has arrived as a disaster tourist. He will take some photos and leave. The rest of the development of Indore is for us to do," Vijayvargiya said.

However, Gandhi denied that his visit was politically motivated. “People have died here because of contaminated drinking water. They are not getting clean water. I have come to raise their issue and help them. There is nothing wrong with that. It is my responsibility to help the victims… Call it politics or whatever you want; it doesn’t matter to me," he said.

While the residents of Bhagirathpura have claimed that 24 people have died so far of a vomiting and diarrhoea outbreak that broke out in the locality in December, the Madhya Pradesh government has pegged the toll at seven, including a five-month-old infant.

(with inputs from agencies)

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