The Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly’s Budget Session opened with a loud uproar on Monday, February 16, 2026. Opposition Congress MLAs protested during Governor Mangubhai Patel’s speech. They demanded action on the recent diarrhoea outbreak in Indore caused by contaminated water, which led to several deaths. The day started with six stanzas of the national song Vande Matram, following a Home Ministry directive. Governor Patel spoke about government water projects, including a plan to divert the Kanh river to protect the Shipra river’s cleanliness. However, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar interrupted. He said important issues like clean tap water and Indore’s water contamination deaths were ignored. Singhar said, “Honourable Governor, you skipped the page about ‘nal jal’ (tap water). You mentioned Shipra but did not even reach Indore where such a huge tragedy took place in Bhagirathpura.” Other Congress MLAs supported him. The session turned chaotic with Congress shouting slogans against the government, while BJP MLAs thumped benches in defense. The Governor read only parts of his speech; Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar said the rest would be considered read. The tragedy started in December 2025 in Indore's Bhagirathpura area and has claimed 16 lives as per an official audit by doctors from MGM Medical College. However, locals and media say up to 35 people died. The cause was polluted water from the BJP-run Indore Municipal Corporation. Investigations found multiple infections and fecal coliform in drinking water, mixed with sewage due to old pipelines. The Budget Session continues till March 6, with the state budget scheduled for presentation on February 18.