Platform of New Delhi Railway Station where stamped took place wearing a deserted look on Sunday morning.
| Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA

The Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday held the BJP-led Central government “responsible for the stampede” at the New Delhi railway station that left 18 people dead and alleged that the actual death toll is being “concealed by officials” as eyewitness accounts do not match the official figures.

“The actual death toll is being concealed. While the L-G [V.K. Saxena] initially acknowledged the deaths, he edited his post on X minutes later. On the other hand, the Railway Minister [Ashwini Vaishnaw] outright denied the incident,” senior AAP leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh said.

“The exact number of casualties is still unclear. Some reports mention 15, others say 18. However, eyewitnesses present at the scene claim that the number of deceased is much higher,” he said.

Recalling fire incidents and the stampede at the Maha Kumbh, Mr. Singh said the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government carried out massive publicity drives but failed to put in place adequate arrangements to deal with the rush of visitors. “Did the railway administration not understand that if such a large crowd had gathered and a sudden announcement about a platform change was made, it would create chaos? And that is exactly what happened. Yet, after such a massive incident, everyone is busy denying it,” he said.

‘Approach AAP’

Caretaker Chief Minister Atishi visited hospitals where the injured are undergoing treatment and asked the victims’ kin to approach AAP MLAs-elect for assistance. “The Centre and the U.P. government seem unconcerned about people’s safety. There are neither proper arrangements in Prayagraj nor adequate transportation facilities for devotees coming from different parts of the country for the Maha Kumbh,” she said.

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal offered condolences to the kin of the deceased.

Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav demanded a detailed probe into the stampede and aid for the families of the deceased.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva and other senior leaders cancelled all their political events for the day in view of the incident, according to a party statement.

BJP leaders, including vice president and Delhi unit incharge Baijayant Panda, MLA-elect Kailash Gahlot, and former Union Minister Harsh Vardhan, condoled the loss of lives and prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.