New Delhi, September 7 (Daily Kiran) : The tragic collapse of a building in Satya Niketan, New Delhi, has ignited a political firestorm. Congress leader Srinivas Bhadravati Venkata raised serious concerns about the delay in the administration’s response, the rescue operations, and the approvals related to the construction. He criticized the BJP government for its handling of the situation.
Venkata pointed out that despite the magnitude of the disaster, government rescue teams took an inordinate amount of time to arrive. He noted that the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) was among the first to respond, assisting in the rescue of trapped individuals. He questioned why the initial ambulances on-site were from private services rather than government sources.
Highlighting the extensive political presence of BJP officials at various levels in Delhi, Venkata asked why there was a delay in the administrative response. He emphasized the need to investigate who authorized the construction of the building, which had previously faced issues in 2022. He also raised concerns about a recent permit for basement work, suggesting that without addressing corruption and regulatory violations, merely suspending officials would not suffice.
Venkata further criticized the suspension of South Delhi officials, asserting that while accountability is necessary for negligence, the investigation must also consider those truly responsible. He revealed that another building near the collapsed site has developed cracks, posing additional safety risks. He urged the government to conduct immediate safety inspections of surrounding structures.
Addressing the families of the victims, Venkata expressed that financial compensation alone cannot remedy their loss. He criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Delhi government for their inadequate response to such a significant tragedy, urging a shift from political arrogance to utilizing existing administrative resources for public safety. He assured that Congress workers would continue their relief efforts despite being in opposition.
In response, BJP spokesperson Yasir Jilani expressed condolences to the affected families, describing the incident as deeply tragic. He defended the Delhi government’s actions, stating that five officials had been suspended and that investigations would hold anyone accountable, regardless of their status. Jilani noted that a suspect had been arrested by Delhi police and that providing quality medical care for the injured was a top priority.
He accused the Aam Aadmi Party of exploiting the situation for political gain, asserting that this was a time for compassion, not politics. Jilani reiterated that anyone found culpable in the investigation would not be spared, regardless of their influence.
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