Shinde-Fadnavis failed to protect ordinary people at the Maharashtra Bhushan Award function, say Opposition leaders

Several lakh people travelled overnight to attend the event that was held in the open. Most of them just used a cotton cloth to cover their heads in order to protect themselves from the scorching sun.

“It was a very unfortunate incident,” Shinde said. The CM promised to provide all help to the families of the deceased. Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis also expressed his “deep anguish” and “pain” over the loss of lives.

In the days leading up to the function, the CM regularly visited the venue to monitor the arrangements.

An angry BJP cabinet minister said requesting anonymity, “The state leadership did not think it was necessary to provide an overhead cover and install fans to beat the blazing sun and humidity. These could have been easily arranged.”

A makeshift tent complete with coolers/fans could have saved the 11 persons from untimely death, he said, adding that more than 100 people who have been hospitalised would have also escaped sunstroke and dehydration.

The stage where VVIPs were seated had an overhead cover. Similar arrangements should have been made for ordinary people, said a member of the ruling BJP.

“Had the government provided the minimum infrastructure to people, it would have saved lives,” he added.

“What happened at the Shah rally was not a natural calamity. It was a man-made calamity,” said Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders.

Opposition leader Ajit Pawar said, “They should have made provisions to ensure that people were not exposed to the scorching heat. They failed to provide better infrastructure.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray wondered what was the purpose of holding the rally in the morning. “Was it done because Amit Shah was in a hurry and did not have time in the evening?” he asked.

“When summer is at its peak in April… there is no explanation as to why an open public rally was held in the morning,” quipped MNS chief Raj Thackeray.

Opposition leaders said the Shinde-Fadnavis administration wanted to capitalize on the mammoth public turnout at the award function to its political advantage.

The Appasaheb Dharmadhikari Trust – which is engaged in the fields of medical care, blood donation drive, de-addiction campaign, tree plantation, water conservation, road cleanliness, and maintenance – has more than 20 lakh volunteers. The organisation has a considerable following in coastal Konkan which is Uddhav Thackeray’s stronghold.

In 2017, Dharmadhikari was given the Padma Shri award.

Senior NCP leader Sunil Tatkare said, “The Opposition was not invited. It was the Maharashtra Bhushan Award event, which is a state function. As per protocol, they should have invited leaders from all parties.”

Tatkare, who attended the function, said: “I represent Raigad Lok Sabha constituency. Since it was held in my district, I took the initiative to talk to the district administration and got an invitation…”