The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha met patients and families affected by the vomiting and diarrhoea outbreak linked to water contamination in Indore`s Bhagirathpura, emphasising that "clean water is a public right"

He also took potshots at the Central government, saying Indore is a new model smart city that doesn`t even have clean drinking water. "People are being intimidated," he said

Accompanied by MP Congress president Jitu Patwari and leader of the opposition in the assembly, Umang Singhar, Gandhi met four patients undergoing treatment at Bombay Hospital, a private facility, enquired about their health, and interacted with their family members

He later visited the Bhagirathpura area, where the outbreak was reported last month, and spoke to the families of the deceased persons

"It`s the government`s responsibility to provide clean water to people and reduce pollution. But the government isn`t fulfilling these responsibilities," he told reporters after meeting families of victims