Bengaluru stampede: Siddaramaiah slams BJP for staging protest seeking his resignation
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday slammed the opposition BJP for staging a protest seeking his resignation for the stampede near Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, where 11 people died.
The chief minister asked the BJP leaders to seek the resignation of those responsible for the Ahmedabad plane crash, collapse of a pedestrian suspension bridge in Morbi in Gujarat and stampede during the Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh.
The BJP staged a protest at the Freedom Park here demanding the immediate resignation of Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Home Minister G Parameshwara in connection with the stampede near Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed the lives and injured over 50 people.
Reacting to the BJP's protest, Siddaramaiah sought to know who was responsible for the stampede during the Kumbh Mela at Prayag Raj in Uttar Pradesh and the Boeing plane crash in Ahmedabad and who resigned for it.
"Who was responsible for the Godhra incident and the bridge collapse that killed 140 people?" the CM asked.
He was referring to the Godhra train carnage that resulted in communal riots in Gujarat in 2002 and the pedestrian suspension bridge collapse in October 2022 at Morbi in Gujarat that killed about 140 people.
"I am not trying to use it as a defence or an excuse. But my point is what moral rights they (BJP) have to demand my resignation," the CM said.
He said the BJP in Karnataka should seek Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's resignation for the stampede during the Kumbh Mela.
Siddaramaiah accused the BJP of staging the protest for political reasons.
BJP state chief B Y Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chaluvadi Narayanaswamy were among those who led the agitation.
Later, the party leaders courted arrest when they were heading to lay siege to the CM's house.
Taking to 'X', Vijayendra held the state government responsible for the lives lost in the stampede that occurred on June 4.
"While #RCB celebrations were taking place across the state and the country on June 4, there was competition between the state's Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister in Bengaluru. The Deputy Chief Minister, who was obsessed with getting publicity by using the RCB victory celebration to increase the popularity of their government, rushed to the airport to welcome the cricketers and held the cup high in the stadium and portrayed himself as winner," Vijayendra alleged.
He charged that even though the police officials reported that they could not provide security for the event, the state government indulged in the "propaganda" and organised the event at Vidhana Soudha and Chinnaswamy Stadium, resulting in the loss of 11 innocent lives.
"At least now, ....the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister should stop being arrogant and resign, taking moral responsibility," he stated.
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Have no personal involvement in Cong’s action against some minority leaders: Shivakumar
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday said he has no personal involvement in action taken against certain Congress leaders from the minority community following allegations of an internal conspiracy during the recently held Davanagere South bypolls.
He clarified that the decisions were taken by the party high command based on available reports.
Asserting that party discipline is of utmost importance, Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, sought to downplay concerns that action against minority leaders may send the message that “Muslims are being targeted.”
“I don’t have any personal involvement in this. Whatever decisions are taken are made by the party leadership. The party has its own reports. Decisions regarding MLAs or MLCs cannot be taken at the state level without instructions from Delhi,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, he added, “People may blame me; I am not concerned. Everyone must function in accordance with party discipline.”
Responding to concerns within sections of the party that recent actions may convey the impression that minority leaders are being targeted, he said the Congress exists for the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities, backward classes, farmers, and all sections of society.
The Congress has suspended MLC K Abdul Jabbar from primary membership and relieved another MLC, Naseer Ahmed, from the post of Chief Minister’s political secretary.
The action followed allegations by a group of Muslim leaders that certain party members conspired to defeat the official candidate in Davanagere South.
Following the action, speculation has emerged that Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan may also face disciplinary measures during the next cabinet reshuffle.
The three leaders had reportedly sought a Muslim candidate for the Davanagere South bypoll ticket, which the party instead allotted to the late MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa’s grandson, Samarth Mallikarjun.
They were also said to have not actively participated in the campaign.
Shivakumar also rejected claims of factionalism within the ruling party amid speculation that leaders close to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were being targeted.
Naseer Ahmed and Zameer Ahmed Khan are considered close to the CM.
Rejecting allegations of factionalism within the party, Shivakumar said, “We speak to each other every day. It is the media that creates divisions. Where is my faction? Has anyone put up a board saying they belong to the Siddaramaiah faction? Have I put up any such board?”
“All 139 legislators are my people, and they are all Siddaramaiah’s people as well. Everyone belongs to the Congress,” he added, saying there are no factions within the party and that such claims are media-driven.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi met Shivakumar on Friday, a day after expressing concerns that disciplinary action against minority leaders may send the wrong message.
Shivakumar said he discussed with Jarkiholi the need to decongest Bengaluru traffic by diverting vehicles entering the city from state and national highways, along with party-related issues.
“We also discussed political matters in the interest of the party and the need to work together,” he said.
Later, speaking to reporters, Jarkiholi said he discussed with Shivakumar the issue of withdrawing Jabbar’s suspension. He said he will also visit New Delhi next week to meet the high command and discuss state developments.
“Jabbar’s suspension was discussed (with Shivakumar). It should be withdrawn. Let’s issue him a notice and allow him to reply. Then let’s send the report to the high command and seek their approval. High command approval is necessary because the instructions came from there. It may take some time,” he said.
Stating that he met the KPCC chief for “damage control,” the minister said, “We have tried to convince him. Sometimes certain decisions happen that need rectification.”
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