Vijayawada: Political parties are opposing the Chief Minister’s proposal of a documentary film on Krishna Pushkaralu. They say that filming a documentary with director Boyapati Srinu at the time of Godavari Pushkaralu led to the death of 29 pilgrims and a similar proposal is alarming. Director Srinu was given the responsibility of shooting a documentary of the river festival set to begin on August 12.

He will shoot the decorations at Prakasam Barrage and inaugural scenes, which include Maha Harathi to the river Krishna in the evening. The officials have proposed to hold the Harathi programme on the boats specially arranged for the purpose, instead from the river banks. Vedic pundits and seers have reportedly opposed the proposal for performing Harathi on boats, but the CM is keen to have it on the floating boats.

It appears that the visuals would be more striking, especially considering the backdrop of Indrakeeladri Hills and the Kanakadurga temple, say the political parties. The alluring backdrop is Boypati’s idea, they said. Boyapati had shot a documentary during Godavari Pushkaralu. To ensure proper shots of Mr Naidu doing the pujas, the officials had closed the pushkar ghat gates leading to the stampede in which 29 people lost their lives, the Opposition parties claim.

A criminal complaint was also lodged against Boyapati and Mr Naidu in Rajamundry blaming them as for the stampede. “CM is planning a documentary which is useless. I just pray that a similar tragedy is not repeated in Krishna Pushkaralu,” said A. Ramakrishna, CPI state secretary. “Making documentary is of no use and CM is wasting money on this,” said M. Mustafa, MLA .

“Chief Minister is only interested in publicity by wasting public money. His comments on security and safety of the pilgrims is meaningless if he repeats the mistakes he made during Godavari Pushkaralu. Besides, the sacred Harithi should be done only from the river banks not in the midst of the river. It’s against the Vedas,” said Umareddy Venkateshwarlu, MLC.