Mallikarjun Kharge claimed that corruption and criminal negligence were responsible for the canopy collapse and criticized the Prime Minister for failing to create “world-class infrastructure.” He pointed out several past incidents to support his argument.
“Corruption and criminal negligence are responsible for the collapse of shoddy infrastructure falling like a deck of cards, in the past 10 years of Modi Govt,” Kharge wrote on X. “Delhi Airport (T1) roof collapse, Jabalpur Airport roof collapse, abysmal condition of Ayodhya’s new roads, Ram Mandir leakage, cracks in Mumbai Trans Harbour Link road, 13 new bridges falling in Bihar in 2023 & 2024, Pragati Maidan Tunnel submerging, Morbi bridge collapse tragedy in Gujarat, … are some stark instances which expose the tall claims by Modi ji and BJP of creating ‘World Class Infrastructure’! On March 10th, when Modi ji inaugurated the Delhi Airport T1, he called himself ‘Doosri mitti ka insaan… All this false bravado and rhetoric was only reserved for quickly indulging in ribbon-cutting ceremonies before elections!”
Expressing his condolences, Kharge added, “Our heartfelt condolences to the victims of the Delhi airport tragedy. They bore the brunt of a corrupt, inept and selfish government.”
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also criticized PM Modi, alleging poor-quality construction led to the tragic death of a cab driver.
“Delhi Airport Terminal-1, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister in March, today its roof collapsed in which a cab driver died tragically. The roof of Jabalpur Airport, which was inaugurated by the Prime Minister three months ago, also collapsed. The whole country is saddened by the poor condition of construction work in Ayodhya,” Priyanka Gandhi said.She questioned if the Prime Minister would take responsibility for the mishaps, stating, “This is the corrupt model of BJP of ‘take donations and give business’ which has now been exposed. The question is whether the Prime Minister will take responsibility for these poor construction works and this corrupt model?”In response to the accusations, BJP leader Amit Malviya criticized the Congress’s remarks and claimed that during the Congress-led UPA rule, contracts were handed out based on kickbacks.
“The part of T1 that collapsed was opened in 2009 when Congress-led UPA was in power. In those days there was no concept of quality check and contracts were given to whoever sent the biggest kickback to the ruling Congress. Sonia Gandhi, who was then the super PM, must answer,” Malviya wrote.
Elaborating on this point, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu reinforced that the building which collapsed was inaugurated in 2009.
“…we are taking this incident seriously…I want to clarify that the building inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi is on the other side and the building that collapsed here is an old building and was opened in 2009,” Kinjarapu reiterated.
NCP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel, who served as Union Civil Aviation Minister in 2009 during the UPA rule, also shared his condolences for the tragedy. He commended the emergency services for their prompt response.
“Deeply saddened by hearing about the roof collapse at Delhi Airport’s T-1 Terminal. My heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and prayers for the injured. Grateful for the swift response by emergency services. Stay safe, everyone,” Patel wrote on X.
