PM Narendra Modi at the site of the Kollam temple fire on Sunday
Highlights
- PM's visit after Kollam temple fire a big relief, says Kerala CM
- Objected to visit, tired force had to prep security, says top cop
- PM waited till rescue operations were over, retorts BJP
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today described Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kollam on the day 100 people died in a temple fire as a "big relief" - disagreeing with the state's police chief who has been quoted saying that a "tired" force had to prep security for high profile visits after the tragedy.
"The PM came... that is great for people. A national leader came to Kerala and that was a big relief for Kerala people," said Mr Chandy, adding, "Their preference and help is great for Kerala. We all focus on giving the best treatment to injured people."
Hours after the massive firecracker explosion at the Puttingal Devi temple early Sunday, PM Modi flew in a special aircraft to Kollam, around 64 km from Thiruvananthapuram, with a team of 15 specialists from Delhi.
Kerala's Director General of Police TP Senkumar has been
quoted by the Indian Express as saying: "I did object to the idea of the Prime Minister visiting the region within 12 hours of the accident. I told them it would be better for the PM to visit the spot a day after the disaster. But the PM wanted to visit that day itself. Our entire force had been working from early morning, engaged in rescue and relief work. So much work was still left and all of them were tired because there was no provision of even drinking water. We had to make arrangements for the safety and security of Prime Minister Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi too."
To the police officer's comments, Union Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy retorted: "Fortunately, we have the PM who takes the call. He could have visited early in the morning, but he waited till evening, he waited for the rescue operations to be over."
Around 1,000 were injured after a spark ignited fireworks stored in a shed during a traditional fireworks display at the temple. The temple had defied a ban on the display, supported by local politicians. Kerala is in the middle of an election and votes on May 16.