Simhachalam Mishap: YS Jagan blames govt of negligence, demands ex-gratia and accountability

YS Jagan blames Andhra govt for Simhachalam wall collapse, demands Rs 1 crore ex gratia, slams Naidu over repeated temple tragedies.

Visakhapatnam: YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday held the Andhra Pradesh government responsible for the Simhachalam temple wall collapse, citing “negligence and recklessness” as the cause of the tragedy. He demanded Rs 1 crore ex gratia to each of the families of the seven deceased.

Seven dead, several injured in temple tragedy

The incident occurred in the small hours at the Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, where a rain-soaked wall collapsed, crushing seven devotees to death and injuring several others during the Chandanotsavam celebrations.

Ex Gratia comparison with LG Polymers gas leak

Addressing the media after visiting the victims’ families, Reddy urged the government to match the Rs 1 crore compensation paid to the victims of the LG Polymers gas leak in 2020, during his tenure. He further promised to pay the difference himself if the state fails to do so upon his return to power.

Naidu announces Rs 25 Lakh for deceased, Rs 3 Lakh for injured

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced Rs 25 lakh compensation for each deceased and Rs 3 lakh for the injured, drawing criticism from the opposition parties.

Construction quality, timeline, governance questioned

Reddy claimed the collapsed wall was constructed hastily and without adherence to safety norms. He alleged “It was started just six days ago and finished two days before the collapse,”, adding that the wall was not made of RCC.

He criticised the authorities for allowing devotees to queue along a ten-foot wall, despite forecasts of heavy rain and the pre-scheduled Chandanotsavam festival, which draws lakhs of people annually.

Criticising Naidu’s governance style, Jagan said: “Chandrababu forms committees after every disaster, but their reports never see the light of day,” citing the Tirupati laddu ghee controversy as an example of incomplete accountability.