Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday alleged that the collapse of a suspension bridge in Gujarat's Morbi, in which 135 people lost their lives, was the result of massive corruption. He demanded that the chief minister resign in the wake of the incident and assembly polls be held immediately.
"The Morbi bridge collapse was a result of massive corruption and I pray for the victims. I feel in a state where such a big number of people have died, the chief minister has no moral right to continue in the top post. The state government should resign in the wake of the incident and assembly elections be held immediately," Kejriwal said at a press conference in Delhi.
The Election Commission is expected to announce in a few days the schedule for assembly polls in Gujarat where the AAP has been trying to position itself as the main contender to the ruling BJP. Kejriwal has already made multiple visits to the state and attended several public meetings.
The Delhi chief minister alleged that the private company which had been given contract for the renovation work of the bridge had no experience in bridge construction. Morbi-based clock and e-bike maker Oreva group was given the contract by the Morbi Municipality to repair and operate the ill-fated hanging bridge for 15 years and charge tickets in the range of Rs 10 to Rs 15 for its use.
"It needs to be probed that why a watchmaking company which had no experience of bridge construction was allowed to work,” he said.
Hundreds of people fell into the Machchhu river after the over 140-year-old cable suspension bridge collapsed on Sunday evening. According to officials, 135 people were killed in the accident while nearly 170 people, who fell into the river, were rescued alive.
