Akhilesh Yadav slams UP Govt over Kumbh stampede, alleges cover-up of death toll

Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday accused the Uttar Pradesh government of concealing the actual number of deaths in the Kumbh Mela stampede in Prayagraj. He demanded strict action against officials involved in the alleged cover-up of mismanagement.

Participating in the Motion of Thanks debate on the President’s Address, Yadav lashed out at the government, alleging that while it boasted of organizing a ‘Digital Kumbh’, it was hiding the real figures of the deceased.

• Yadav called for an all-party meeting to discuss Kumbh arrangements and urged that disaster management responsibilities be handed over to the Army.
• He claimed that officials used JCB machines and tractors to clear away bodies, painting a grim picture of the aftermath.
  The SP leader also criticized CM Yogi
• Adityanath for delaying his response, stating he expressed grief only after the PM and President had reacted.

With political tensions rising over the handling of the Kumbh tragedy, Yadav’s demands have added pressure on the UP government to reveal the full extent of the incident.