'Insensitive, Shameful': Cong Slams UP Govt Over Deputy CM's VIP Welcome At Jhansi Hospital After Fire Tragedy

At least 10 newborns were killed after a fire engulfed the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College on Friday night.

Jhansi Hospital Fire: The Congress on Saturday lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Uttar Pradesh government after videos showing elaborate arrangement ahead of Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Patahka's visit at the Jhansi hospital surfaced on social media. In a fateful accident, at least 10 newborns were killed after a fire engulfed the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College on Friday night. Nearly 16 children, who were injured in the accident, are battling for their lives.

In a post on X, the Congress claimed that the compound of the hospital was cleaned and lime was sprinkled on the either sides of the road leading to the medical facility to welcome the Deputy CM. He also shared visuals from people engaged in the preparations for Pathak's visit.

The Congress slammed the UP government for its "height of insensitivity" along with the visuals from the road near the Jhansi hospital. The party targeted the state government for worrying about the arrangements for the Deputy CM while families grieved for their loss, calling their actions "shameful".

"Look at the insensitivity of the BJP government. On one hand, children were burned to death, and their families were weeping and grieving. On the other hand, lime was being sprinkled on the roads to welcome the Deputy Chief Minister. The families even claimed that the entire compound was filthy, but it was cleaned up before the Deputy Chief Minister's visit," the Congress tweeted.

"While children are dying in fires, this government is busy polishing its image. Shameful!" the party added.

The Deputy CM, who is also the health minister, said the fire was caused due to a short circuit inside the oxygen concetrator at the ward. However, the premilimary probe stated that the fire extinguisher cylinders were expired and the fire alarm didn't go off since it was broken.

Meanwhile, CM Yogi Adityanath has ordered a three-tier probe into the incident. The state government has also announced Rs 5 lakh ex gratia to the parents of each of the deaceased. Rs 50,000 will be given to the family of each of the injured from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.