GWALIOR: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan honored the memory of the Bhopal gas tragedy victims without commenting on the election results, as the BJP appeared to be securing a majority in the state according to early Election Commission trends.

Remembering the catastrophic incident, considered the world's most devastating industrial disaster, Chouhan paid his respects to the thousands who lost their lives when lethal gas leaked from the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant on December 2 and 3, 1984.

The tragic event unfolded in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, due to the escape of highly hazardous and toxic gas, methyl isocyanate (MIC), from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) facility, resulting in the death of 5,295 individuals, injuries to nearly 568,292 people, and significant livestock loss.

Expressing the necessity to prevent such tragedies from recurring, Chouhan emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance between development and environmental preservation. He reiterated his condolences to the victims of this calamity.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appeared to be leading comfortably in Madhya Pradesh as per the latest Election Commission trends. The BJP had a lead in 133 out of 199 seats, while the Congress was at 52, according to the most recent updates from the poll body at 10:11 am.

Vote counting for the assembly elections held in Madhya Pradesh on November 17 commenced at 8 am on Sunday.

This Day in History: Legacy of the Bhopal Disaster, 39 Years On