Lucknow: Kaiserganj BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh has lashed out at his party’s government for shoddy preparations for floods that have wreaked havoc in at least 18 districts of Uttar Pradesh.
On October 11, the UP government had said that 1,370 villages in 18 different districts were affected by the floods. Separately, the Gonda administration informed that the floods had claimed three lives, while the overall toll in flood and rain-related incidents is around 35.
“Public representatives are silent. Speaking is disallowed. If you speak, you will be termed a rebel,” Singh told the media while visiting his constituency to review arrangements made for the flood-hit people.
Singh is serving his sixth term as a parliamentarian from Kaiserganj, which has large parts of Gonda and Balrampur districts that are part of the low-lying flood-prone Terai region.
On Thursday, Singh had to use a tractor to reach his residence in Gonda leaving his SUV, local media reports mentioned.
The next day, Singh was quizzed by mediapersons when he was seen taking rounds of flood-affected areas in Gonda traveling on a tractor.
Asked about the reason why he was perched on a tractor, Singh said it was because the tractor was the only source of transportation in such deep water.
“As far as I remember, we had seen this kind of situation in 1984 and 2008 but this time, the water level has risen two feet above what was seen in those years. All vehicles apart from tractors are useless, and for the past several days, we are using a tractor for movement…,” he said.
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‘No meeting held for flood preparation’
Asked about the Gonda administration’s claims that it had provided boats and relief material were being distributed to the people, Singh told mediapersons that it was better not to ask about the district administration.
“Earlier, whichever government used to be in power, a meeting would be held before floods for preparation. I don’t think any meeting was held [this time]. ‘Bhagwan ke bharose log hain’ [People are left on their own]. People are waiting for water to recede…. I have never seen such shoddy preparation in my life. The tragedy is that we can’t even cry. We can’t even express our feelings,” he said.
"मैंने जीवन में बाढ़ के लिए इतना ख़राब इंतजाम नहीं देखा, कुछ बोलोगे तो बागी कहलाओगे"
◆ UP के कैसरगंज से BJP सांसद बृजभूषण शरण सिंह। pic.twitter.com/ruZvZu57Ax
— News24 (@news24tvchannel) October 15, 2022
When a mediaperson mentioned about a tractor being provided to locals , Singh said the tractor was allotted for women and elderly persons so that they could move out and that the people were “waiting for arrangements to be made by God.”
“One tractor trolley was deployed for women and elderly persons who were unable to walk as there were strong [water] currents. They are using it [for movement] and are waiting for arrangements to be made by God.”
Asked if the district administration was not taking any advice from public representatives, Singh said there was no time for seeking advice now “Speaking is not allowed,” he repeated multiple times.
“Advice is sought before floods, but speaking is not allowed. You only have to listen. … Public representatives are silent. If you speak, you will be labelled as a rebel. If you give advice, nobody will follow. Speaking is disallowed,” he rued.
On a question that the reality of the situation was not reaching the UP Chief Minister and if officials were doing according to their wish, Singh twice told mediapersons not to force him to comment on that.
“Don’t make me say anything. Don’t make me say this. I have not seen this kind of shoddy preparation in my life,” a visibly irritated Singh said before ending the conversation.
ThePrint reached out to Singh for a comment but an aide said he was engaged in a meeting and would respond later. His response will be added if and when he reverts.
Singh is not new to controversies. He was in news for warning Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray that he must not enter Ayodhya without “apologising to all North Indians with folded hands”.
Gonda administration goes on defensive
As reports about Singh’s comments and outburst went viral, the Gonda administration released a detailed statement of the relief work carried out as well as information about the meetings held before the floods hit the region.
In a statement, Gonda District Magistrate Ujjwal Kumar said the district-level steering committee meetings were held on 27 April and 2 August. Relief work is going on at war footing since 8 October and so was daily review of disaster relief works, he added.
“The flood-affected region has been divided into zones and sectors and senior officials have been deployed for supervision of relief work and speedy redressal of complaints of the public. Floodcontrol room is also active 24X7. So far, 146 revenue villages and 662 hamlets are affected with floods where 489 boats and one platoon each of PAC and SDRF and four motor boats have been deployed for relief work. 2. 28 lakh people are being provided lunch packets at community kitchens,” he said.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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