Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the BJP and the central government, holding them responsible for the Gujarat bridge collapse and the Ahmedabad plane crash, calling the tragedies a direct result of “leadership crisis, rampant corruption, and incompetence.”
His remarks follow the collapse of the Gambhira bridge in Gujarat’s Vadodara district on Wednesday, which has so far claimed 15 lives, with several others still missing. The incident comes close on the heels of last month’s deadly aircraft crash in Ahmedabad, which killed over 240 people.
Taking to X, Kharge accused the BJP of being indifferent to governance: “Accidents have become a common occurrence in the country. Sometimes a train accident, sometimes a bridge developing cracks right after its inauguration. The country hasn’t even recovered from the plane crash when news of a bridge collapse in Gujarat came yesterday. Twelve innocent lives were lost.”
He cited reports warning that the Gambhira bridge had been flagged as “dangerous” due to structural vibrations three years ago, yet no corrective action was taken.
“Since 2021, this is the seventh bridge collapse in Gujarat,” he added.
Kharge blamed the government’s focus on publicity and speeches over governance, alleging that: “The BJP leadership and government, busy only with speeches and advertising, have crossed all limits of indifference. This is the result of a leadership crisis, rampant corruption, and incompetence.”
Concluding his post, he expressed hope that the people of India would hold the government accountable in due time.
Meanwhile, rescue operations at the Gambhira bridge collapse site continue. Vadodara Collector Anil Dhameliya confirmed that 15 bodies have been recovered, and four people remain missing. The NDRF and SDRF are conducting extensive search operations, even 4 km downstream.
Officials stated that two vehicles remain stuck in sludge and an empty tanker is hanging precariously from the broken structure. Efforts are underway to stabilize the vehicle while rescue teams operate beneath.
According to Vadodara SP Rohan Anand, a 10–15 metre section of the bridge collapsed, sending two trucks, two pickup vans, and a rickshaw into the river. Nine people were rescued, none of whom are in critical condition.
