“It is our good fortune that our government got the opportunity to be associated with the Mahakumbh of this century… Our sympathies are with all those who were victims of the stampede on January 29 and those who lost their lives in road accidents while travelling for Kumbh… The government stands with them and will help them in every possible way,” he added asking the political rivals how appropriate was it to politicise it.Yogi Adityanath also provided a detailed account of Mahakumbh 2025 while highlighting the administrative failures of previous Kumbhs especially that which was organised in 2013 under the previous government. He said that those responsible for the chaos in 2013 were now questioning Mahakumbh 2025. He recalled the tragic stampede at Prayag station in 2013. He said that the then state government failed to procure adequate funds from the central government accusing it also of large-scale corruption in the allocated budgets. He also referred to the 2014 CAG report to substantiate his allegations highlighting large-scale lapses on the part of the then state government.According to the CAG report of 2014, in 2013, when the devotees were taking a holy dip on one hand, the administration was immersed in corruption. He said, “In 2013, many contractors were given undue benefits by giving crores of rupees, there was a huge shortage of toilets, and crores of rupees were spent without technical approval.”CM Yogi announced that the Central and State Governments had allocated Rs 7,500 crore for Mahakumbh 2025 of which Rs 1,500 crore were spent on organizing the event and remaining funds were used for expanding Prayagraj’s infrastructure. “Those indulging in false narratives are working neither in the interest of the state nor the nation,” said Yogi reiterating his government’s commitment to the resounding success of the event consolidating the country’s reputation on the global stage.CM Yogi stated that the Mahakumbh had become a symbol of both spiritual magnificence and administrative excellence. Citing a report by the Himalayan Institute of Prayagraj, he highlighted that the event ignited a spiritual awakening among Indians and served as a living example of the core principles of Sanatan Dharma. Responding to opposition allegations of overriding VIP culture in Mahakumbh, CM Yogi said: “Those who talk about VIP culture were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. These people have never compromised on VIP facilities.”
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