Rahul Gandhi visits Indore localities hit by a water contamination outbreak, alleges governance lapses, while BJP dismisses the move as political optics.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday visited affected neighbourhoods in Indore, where a suspected water contamination incident has left thousands ill and several families grieving. Gandhi interacted with more than 20 families impacted by the outbreak and also met patients undergoing treatment at Bombay Hospital.

The health emergency, reportedly triggered by sewage mixing with drinking water through ageing pipelines, led to vomiting and diarrhoea among over 3,000 residents. While official records confirm seven deaths, including that of a five-month-old infant, local residents have claimed the toll could be significantly higher.

During his visit, Gandhi criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Madhya Pradesh government, calling the incident a reflection of administrative failure in a city often ranked as the cleanest in the country. He demanded accountability and compensation for affected families, arguing that civic reputation means little without safe basic services.

The BJP countered the criticism by accusing the Indian National Congress leader of indulging in political messaging rather than constructive engagement.

The episode has renewed questions about urban infrastructure safety, even in cities celebrated for cleanliness rankings. For residents, the crisis underlines the importance of routine pipeline audits and transparent reporting during health emergencies. Politically, the contrasting narratives from Congress and BJP suggest the issue may remain in the spotlight as a test of governance and crisis response rather than just public health management.