New Delhi: The Congress has blamed “half-baked preparations and “focus on self-publicity” for the stampede at Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. While Congress leaders have said several people died in the stampede, the state government has not confirmed any deaths yet. Leader of the Opposition, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said the news from Prayaraj is heart-rending. “Poor management and prioritising VIP movement over ordinary pilgrims is responsible for this tragic incident,” he said, adding that the government should make proper arrangements to prevent a recurrence of such an incident. “VIP culture should be checked and better arrangements must be made for the pilgrims,” Mr Gandhi said. Hoping for the swift recovery of those injured, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said in a post on X, “Half-baked preparations, VIP movement and a focus on self-publicity instead of management is responsible for this. Such preparations despite spending thousands of crores in condemnable.” Mr Kharge said several snans are still left and the Centre and the state government should improve the arrangements to prevent a repeat of such an incident. “Facilities …