The Congress on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh over the deaths of 18 people in Indore allegedly caused by contaminated drinking water. The party has demanded a Supreme Court–level independent probe to fix accountability and hold the state government responsible for what it termed a preventable tragedy.

Congress head of media and publicity Pawan Khera alleged that the incident exposed the “ugly, brutal, and utterly callous face” of the BJP administration. He claimed that gross negligence, administrative incompetence, and apathy by the state government led to the deaths, which include a six-month-old infant, while over 40,000 residents have reportedly fallen ill.

Highlighting the scale of the crisis, Khera said many affected citizens are still battling for their lives in intensive care units. He termed the situation particularly shocking as Indore has been ranked India’s cleanest city for eight consecutive years under the Swachh Survekshan survey, calling the incident a contradiction of the BJP’s governance claims.

Also Read: MP BJP Leader Says Citizens Also Responsible for Clean Drinking Water After Indore Deaths

The Congress leader also criticised the state government’s response, alleging insensitivity and arrogance from senior BJP leaders. He accused Madhya Pradesh cabinet minister Kailash Vijayvargiya of insulting journalists and questioned the government’s seriousness in providing timely relief and compensation to grieving families.

Slamming the compensation announced by the state government, Khera said the Rs 2 lakh per victim payout was “contemptible” and trivialised the value of human life. He demanded that the Prime Minister’s Office intervene and escalate the matter to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which had funded water infrastructure projects in the state.

Khera further alleged that despite schemes such as the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the BJP government failed to ensure safe drinking water. He pointed out that ADB had extended loans worth over USD 270 million in 2003 and 2008 for urban water supply projects in cities including Indore, but accused the state government of failing to fulfil its obligations over the past two decades.

Calling the incident a “criminal betrayal of citizens,” the Congress demanded a Supreme Court–monitored inquiry to investigate ignored public warnings and alleged violations of international loan conditions. The party said only an independent probe could ensure accountability and justice for the victims of what it described as reckless and preventable governance failure.

Also Read: Indore Water Tragedy: Pollution Board Warned of Faecal Contamination Nearly a Decade Ago