Bengaluru stampede: BJP, JD(S) doing politics over 'dead bodies', says DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Jun 6 (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday accused the opposition BJP and JD(S) of doing politics over "dead bodies", as he hit out at them for demanding his resignation following the June 4 stampede here that killed 11 people.
The stampede occurred on Wednesday evening in front of the Chinnaswamy stadium, where a large number of people thronged to participate in the RCB team's IPL victory celebrations. Eleven people died and 56 were injured in the incident.
"They (opposition) are trying to do politics over dead bodies. We are not doing it. We have sincerity....what do they have to target me? In what way am I responsible?" Shivakumar asked.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, "Karnataka State Cricket Association wrote (to the government) seeking permission. The event was held. I'm Bengaluru Minister..... I had also gone to the stadium as the Bengaluru Minister, what is wrong?"
"I had gone to the airport (to receive the RCB team). I requested them to cooperate as there was no permission for the victory procession. I gave them a Kannada flag and welcomed them. What's wrong? What crime have I committed?" he further asked.
On criticism about going ahead with the RCB celebration despite having information about deaths, Shivakumar said, "I had no information, I'm telling you..."
The opposition BJP and JD(S) earlier today lashed out at the Congress government for making police officers the "scapegoat" for the stampede and alleged that the entire responsibility for the incident lies with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar. They also demanded their resignation.
To the charges that instead of Deputy CM resigning, five police officials, including the police commissioner, were made scapegoats by suspending them, Sivakumar said the government and the CM had taken the decision after discussing it in the cabinet.
On demands that there should be action against "big people" in the government too, he said, "What we should do, should be left to us. Listening to someone, or for the sake of someone's criticism we won't act. We know what to do. People have blessed us (to power)."
When reporters asked about the opposition asking for his resignation, the Deputy CM, with sarcasm, said, "They are seeking my resignation. Fine, let's fulfill their desire...."
In what is seen as a comment targeted at the JD(S) and its leader H D Kumaraswamy, Shivakumar said, "They comment about me getting emotional (expressing grief over stampede), but what about them shedding tears during the election? I won't speak about others' family matters...."
Questioned about Kumaraswamy targeting him, he said, "We have love for each other. He has a lot of love for me, so he asks for my resignation..."
When told that the BJP and JD(S) were planning for a joint fight against the government, Shivakumar asked "when were they alone? They have always been together since Lok Sabha polls. Let them include ten more with them. I, too, know who is doing what in the background. God has given me some intelligence."
Noting that a magistrate, a one-man commission under a retired high court judge, and the CID are probing into the stampede incident, Shivakumar said the government is doing its best to provide justice.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
