Gorakhpur : A telephonic conversation between BJP councillor Vishwajit Tripathi and Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan, recorded during the recent spell of heavy rain and waterlogging in the city, has triggered political debate after a video of the exchange went viral on social media.
Because officials of the irrigation department were beyond the reach of municipal representatives and were not responding to their concerns, he said that during the heavy rainfall, he was sitting with residents and had called the MP.
When contacted, Tripathi said he did not know who had recorded or circulated the video. The MP said the priority during the crisis was to address public grievances and restore normalcy. District president Brijesh Gautam said the party’s doors remained open to those who were dissatisfied with BJP policies and wished to oppose the ruling party. BJP regional general secretary Satendra Sinha said any action in the matter would be decided by the party’s disciplinary committee. However, expressing his personal view, he said the issue should have been raised within the party forum rather than on social media. He termed the heavy rainfall a natural calamity and said party workers and government agencies had worked throughout the night to tackle the situation. Water was pumped out from affected localities overnight and most areas were free from waterlogging by Sunday morning after the rain subsided, according to him.
He added that such situations should not be politicised and that efforts should focus on solving problems rather than seeking political advantage. The development also drew a reaction from the Samajwadi Party.
Responding to the controversy, Ravi Kishan said he was personally on the streets monitoring the situation and coordinating with the administration.