Rahul Gandhi seeks report on deaths related to rain, road damage in Bengaluru

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has sought a report from the Karnataka party unit on poor state of roads in the rain-battered city, following the death of some persons allegedly due to potholes.

He called up K C Venugopal, Karnataka party in-charge, this morning and sought the report on the poor condition of roads in Bengaluru, party sources said.

"Rahul Gandhi also directed Venugopal to ask the party-led state government about the steps taken to solve the problem," they said. As many as four persons have died in mishaps allegedly due to potholes in the city and five others in rain-related incidents in the last fortnight.

Soon after meeting the Congress vice president, Venugopal spoke to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Bengaluru Development Minister K J George, to take stock of the situation, the sources said. The deaths have drawn a sharp criticism from the BJP which alleged that Siddaramaiah had failed in his duty. Siddaramaiah, however, flayed the opposition for "politicising" the matter.

Siddaramaiah and George, who toured rain-affected areas today, also faced the ire of residents who complained that there was no one around to save them when water entered their houses.

BJP state unit president B S Yeddyurappa also visited the rain-hit areas and blamed Siddaramaiah for the deaths. The BJP leader also announced a compensation of Rs one lakh to kin of deceased.

PTI