Probe confirms breakdown in oxygen supply; Yogi slams media for exposing his failure

News Network

August 13, 2017

Lucknow, Aug 13: Facing flak following death of over 30 children in 48 hours allegedly owing to shortage of oxygen at BRD Medical College in his Lok Sabha constituency of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday sought to indicate that the deaths had been caused by encephalitis and slammed the media for what he termed resorting to ''fake reporting'' on such a sensitive matter.

A preliminary probe report by the Gorakhpur district magistrate, however, admitted that there was a ''breakdown'' in the supply of oxygen on the night of Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after visiting the BRD Medical College, Adityanath said that he had been fighting battle against encephalitis for the past 20 years and no one ''understood'' the agony of the people better than him.

The chief minister also seemed to suggest that one could expect high casualty figure given the fact that three to five thousand patients visited the BRD Medical College every day.

''You (media) should not resort to fake reporting.....you (media) should visit the wards and report from there and not from outside.....go and see for yourself in the ward whether the patients are being treated or there is a carnage,'' he said.

Adityanath, who was accompanied by union minister for health J P Nadda, said that the government would wait for the report of the chief secretary led high level committee before taking action in the matter. ''Let the report come out...we will not spare the guilty,'' he added.

Nadda said that the union government would set up a Regional Centre for Research at Gorakhpur to facilitate research on vector borne diseases.

The opposition parties, however, continued their attack on Adityanath. Congress on Sunday termed the deaths as ''murder'' and demanded resignations of chief minister and the state health minister.

Notwithstanding the denials of the state government, a preliminary report by the district magistrate said that there was a ''breakdown'' in the oxygen supply on Thursday night.

30 children, mostly new born, had died allegedly owing to shortage of oxygen at the hospital in a period of 36-hours between Thursday and Friday. The government had suspended the principal of the medical college Dr. R.K.Mishra on charges of laxity.

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Siddaramaiah's camp on alert as Karnataka Congress leadership rift escalates

News Network

November 27,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is reportedly on alert as the Congress leadership tussle in the state intensifies, particularly amid speculation over the potential promotion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to be in a “wait-and-watch” mode after admitting to “confusion” earlier this week and urging the party to “put a full stop” to it.

Sources say his supporters are ready to act if senior leaders — including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi — give any indication of backing Shivakumar. If the party insists on a leadership change, Siddaramaiah’s camp has a list of alternatives, underscoring the deep rift between the two leaders. One possible candidate is Home Minister G. Parameshwara, a Siddaramaiah loyalist and influential Dalit leader.

The strategy was reportedly finalized at a meeting led by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another Siddaramaiah supporter, who stressed that Delhi leaders need to resolve the issue. Kharge and the Gandhis are expected to meet soon, after which Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi.

Shivakumar has largely stayed non-confrontational, publicly endorsing Siddaramaiah and downplaying speculation about his own ambitions. However, he has made pointed comments emphasizing the importance of honoring promises, directed at Siddaramaiah.

The feud traces back to the 2023 state election, when Siddaramaiah was chosen as Chief Minister while Shivakumar, who led the party’s campaign, was made Deputy CM and state party chief — a departure from the Congress’ usual “one post per person” rule.

There were also hints of a prior understanding that Siddaramaiah would step down midway through the term. As the halfway mark passed last week, Shivakumar-aligned lawmakers have ramped up pressure on the party for a leadership change, with Shivakumar himself hinting at stepping down as state party chief to pursue the top job.

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