Leaders of various political parties here on Tuesday lashed out at Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu over Rajahmundry stampede incident in which 27 people died. Expressing concern over the tragic incident occurred at one of the pushkar ghats in Rajahmundry in Eest Godavari district, YSR Congress Party leader Ambati Rambabu on Tuesday said the TDP government had miserably failed in making pucca arrangements and Naidu was morally responsible for the tragic incident.

The YSRCP leader questioned whether the Naidu government was functioning. Though the AP government allocated Rs 1,650 crore for the Godavari pushkaralu, the arrangements were far from satisfactory, which led to the avoidable tragedy which claimed 27 precious lives in the stampede, he said.

Rambabu said his intention was not to politicize the incident, but the State government has failed to make pucca arrangements. He asked the YSRCP medical cell to rush to the spot and provide treatment to needy pilgrims. Another YSRCP leader and former MLA Gurunath Reddy described Pushkar deaths as Chandrababu’s killings.

He reminded Chandrababu that he had demanded resignation of then chief minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy when five devotees died in a stampede in 2004 Pushkaralu and asked Chandrabau as to why he was not responding on Rajahmundry incident.

He also demanded that Chandrababu Naidu tender his resignation immediately, owning moral responsibility to the Rajahmundry stampede.

Describing Rajahmundry incident as gloomy one, former Congress MLA from Telangana State Gandra Venkataramana Reddy demanded that a criminal case be filed against Chandrababu Naidu. He asked both Telugu States governments’ to provide effective facilities to the devotees at least responding now.

The moment it came to light that nearly 27 lives are permanently discarded from this world due to the stampeded that took place at a ghat in Rajahmundry on the even of Holy Godavari’s Pushkaralu, almost all the politicians started blasting Chandrababu Naidu led Andhra Pradesh government. Congress MP and Megastar, Chiranjeevi also joined the same chorus, upsetting some of his fans.

‘After making tall claims in media about the arrangements made for Pushkaralu in Rajahmundry and other shores of Godavari, ruling government failed to control a disastrous and horrific incident that took place in the fist hour after inauguration’, said Chiru. Blaming it as a failure on Chandrababu’s administration capabilities, he said, ‘What answer Naidu will give to his conscience? I’ll leave to his ethics if he would resign from CM post or not’.

At the same time, Janasena president and Chiru’s brother Pawan Kalyan also responded on the issue. ‘My heart goes with those families who lost their loved ones. Not making any visit to the place because my arrival would create more ruckus. Requesting my fans and cadres to help the victims’, said Pawan Kalyan.

This is what they say matured statement. At a time when victims are suffering, it’s not important if Chandrababu resigns or not, or what he will answer to his conscience. What does the standby and relief efforts Chiru and his esteemed Congress is providing to the victims is what needed. Hope Chiru takes a clue from his brother while reacting during ghastly incidents.

Meanwhile a lawyer has filed complaint with Human Rights Commission on Chandrababu Naidu, accusing that his haphazard arrangements have led to death of 27 pilgrims at Pushkarlu in Rajahmundry today. He accused that is the root level failure of a government.

This morning, NASA teased the people from all parts of the globe when it released a teaser of first ever color image of the planet Pluto. The image was taken yesterday at 4 pm ET and from a distance of 476,000 miles.  As soon as the image was published on NASA’s Instagram and Twitter pages, it went viral and space lovers are especially amused by the heart like shape on the planet.

This image released by NASA is the first ever image in which the ‘Pluto’s heart’ and the craters can be seen clearly. Celebrating this landmark achievement, NASA proudly claimed tweeting, ‘Yes! After over 9 years & 3+ billon miles, @NASANewHorizons #PlutoFlyby was at 7:49 am ET.’ The first full high resolution mosaic image of Pluto will be released by tomorrow afternoon.

Politicians never leave even a small chance to gain political mileage and score brownie points. Generally when any tragedy strikes people conduct themselves in a dignified manner and make some saner statements.

But within hours of 27 innocent people lost their lives in a stampede at Rajamundry then they came to take holy dip in Godavari during pushkarams, dirty political game started unfolding. While families are mourning the death of their beloved ones, political parties and politicians started blame game.

They demanded resignation of Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu. True that it is the failure of the state government to take care of public safety for pushkarams. But even before identification of people who lost their lives are completed, opposition started politics.

Opposition did not even try to help the people who were stranded asking their cadre to take care of the commoners. Chiranjeevi who was out of action for many months suddenly came with ironed shirt and demanded Chandrababu’s resignation.

He came with startling statement that during YSR regime, less number of people died. Chiranjeevi did not ask his fans to help the people. YSRCP leaders Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, Jyothula Nehru, Ambati Rambabu, Congress former MLA Gandra Venkatar Ramana Reddy all are out only criticising Chandrababu and his government rather than try to help the victims.

This shows that they are more than happy on getting the opportunity to criticise Chandrababu rather than feel said on people losing their lives.

He was once invincible and also considered as a good administrator with iron grip on politics but now in his third tenure as CM, Babu is facing one crisis for every day. Today, the deaths in stampede at Rajahmundry has once again exposed governance loopholes.

When compared to his tenure a decade back, there are already rumours that he doesn’t have much of a grasp on administration these days. This is becoming obvious with each passing day. The day he took oath as CM 24 students were washed away in Himachal Pradesh.

Sources say that now many leaders in TDP are feeling that as few swamij is pointed out, his swearing in muhurtham on June 8 may have been a disaster. As if Revanth’s controversy in Telangana was not enough, AP ministers and MLA’s are giving him a tough time.

The second consecutive draught marking his second year in power has also shaken his close circle. In a way, Chandrababu seems to be facing crisis one after the other. Pawan Kalyan’s outburst was also a development seen recently, with four more years to go, TDP leaders are a worried lot.

The death toll in the stampede took place at the Kotagummam ghat during Godavari Maha Pushkaram has been increased to 32. And it’s expected that the number of deaths would increase as the condition of many is serious among the 15 injured.

CM Chandrababu Naidu, who expressed deep condolences, has ordered for a probe into the whole issue. He visited the injured members in the Rajahmundry government hospital and assured them of all support from government. Chandrababu earlier, announced an ex gratia of Rs 10 Lakh to the families of victims who lost their loved ones.

Maha Pushkaram is a grand event which comes once in every 144 years whereas Pushkaram comes once in every 12 years. Since this is the first Godavari Pushkaram after the bifurcation of the state, both the states took this as prestigious and made arrangements. Started on July 14th, the Godavari Pushkaram lasts till July 25th.

The latest incident yet again proved the safety lapse at the Pushkar ghats and the onus definitely lies on the government. At the same time, people should be more conscious and follow all precautionary measures to avoid any untoward incidents. AP government took the incident seriously and Chandrababu Naidu announced that the responsible would be punished severely.

A committee of Supreme Court of India, headed by the retired ex Chief Justice of India RM Lodha, has suspended the IPL teams Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals for 2 years from taking part in IPL. the SC also banned the official of Chennai Super Kings and the co-owner of Rajasthan Royals Gurunath Meiyappan and Raj Kundra respectively for life from cricket and maintaining any sort of ties with the BCCI.

Stating that both Gurunath and Raj Kundra have acted against the spirit of cricket and damaged the trust of BCCI, the Supreme Court has today pronounced both the bosses of the hotshot IPL teams guilty of misconduct. RM Lodha said that Raj was betting on the IPL matches through a punter and he was constantly in touch with bookies. Raj has been declared ineligible from taking part in any form of cricket for five years.

On the other hand, the ex-CJI said that Gurunath violated anti-corruption code by betting. The CSK boss also suffered a loss of 60 lakh in betting but the damage done to cricket by Gurunath is far more compared to that of his losses. Gurunath has been suspended from taking part in any form of cricket for life.

The loss of 27 lives on the very first day of Godavari Pushkaralu has deeply shattered everyone. Several politicians and celebrities have been expressing their deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Janasena President Pawan Kalyan too paid homage to the departed devotees and prayed for their souls.

The Janasena commander also said that even though he wants to condole the bereaved families and take part in the relief activities, he is helpless to reach to the Pushkar ghats as his presence will create more difficulties for the rescue men who are carrying out their assistance at various venues. Pawan requested his party cadres to take part in the relief measures.

On the other hand, Pawan’s brother and Congress leader Chiranjeevi too paid his tributes to the stampede victims and lashed out at the AP CM and called the government’s statements about the lavish affairs at the Maha Pushkaralu a mere publicity gimmick. Chriu also asked the AP CM to take the moral responsibility for the tragedy and demanded him to resign from his post. –

Responding to the devastating tragedy occurred at Rajahmundry Pushkar ghat which claimed 22 innocent lives, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu became emotional and cried. While talking to media, uncontrollable Naidu shed tears and expressed profound condolences to the bereaved families.

Stating that the loss incurred to bereaved families is irreplaceable, Naidu announced Rs 10 Lakh as ex gratia towards the victims’ families. He opined that the most of the pilgrims tried to enter into one gate at the Pushkaram gate leading to the tragic incident.

Chandrababu Naidu stated that the tragedy has devastated him personally and vowed to take stern action against the responsible for this incident. Chandrababu Naidu, “A thorough probe has been ordered to look into the issue. People responsible for this tragedy will be strictly punished.”

Mr Naidu advised pilgrims to not to throng at one ghat. He also asked pilgrims to follow the instructions of the police officials and said that not to come to ghats in groups. He said that he’d be staying in Rajahmundry and monitor the situation closely and won’t leave the town till the conclusion of Maha Pushkarams.

On other hand, Opposition parties have lambasted CM Chandrababu Naidu-led AP government. While few demanded Mr Naidu’s resignation, few have asked to increase the ex gratia from Rs 10 Lakh to Rs 25 Lakh. Definitely, not a good start to start Maha Pushkaram. Let’s wait and see how AP government would tackle the issue.