SUM Hospital Fire Tragedy: Opposition Demands CM’s Resignation

Bhubaneswar: After the resignation of Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak as Health minister, the opposition BJP, and Congress on Saturday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the fire mishap at the SUM Hospital that took 26 lives so far.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Chief Minister should resign on moral grounds.

“Both the Health department and the Home department are equally responsible for the incident. The Fire Services department, which is under the Home department, has failed to discharge its responsibility properly. I am utterly surprised that why Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who is in charge of the Home portfolio, has remained silent on this matter till date?” asked Pradhan.

“Why the Chief Minister is yet to take moral responsibility and give his clarification to the people of Odisha? He should own moral responsibility as a Home minister,” said the Union minister.

Pradesh Congress president Prasad Harichandan said both Health and Home departments are equally responsible for the tragedy.

“The Chief Minister is equally responsible for fire tragedy in the Hospital as fire department comes under his Home portfolio. He should also relinquish from the post on moral ground,” said Harishandan.

Reacting to the resignation demand, BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said the demand of Dharmendra Pradhan is politically motivated.

“If the Chief Minister would resign on the hospital issue, then Defence minister should have resigned for the Uri attack,” said Deb.