BHOPAL: Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan, urban development minister Venkaiah Naidu and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan were among top dignitaries who had a close shave when a dust-storm coupled with rain triggered the collapse of pandal (canopy) at a public event at the Dussehra ground in Indore on Monday evening.
A massive dome-shaped pandal was erected at the ground for the gathering which also included MP finance minister Jayant Malaiya and State minister for urban development Maya Singh, besides local MLAs and Indore mayor Malini Goud.
Just when one of the senior State government officials was addressing the gathering around 5.45 pm, the heavy dust-storm and the massive rain started to shake the giant pandal, making people nervous. Around 20 minutes later, when Malini Goud was addressing the event, the rain gained momentum, making the pandal shake dangerously.
The CM sent former BJP MLA Jeetu Jeerati to inform the mayor to end the speech quickly. But before the mayor’s speech could end, the entire pandal started collapsing, triggering a stampede-like situation inside the venue.