Stampede Deaths: BJP, JDS leaders ask AICC leadership to fire CM, Dy CM; CM eases out his political secretary for ‘ill-advice’

Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy and BJP state president BY Vijayendra on Friday pinned the blame for Wednesday’s stampede deaths in Bengaluru on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Dy CM DK Shivakumar, while urging the AICC leadership to fire them, holding them to account. “Both CM and DyCM are responsible due to their obsession with power and publicity,” Kumaraswamy said.

Kumaraswamy and Vijayendra addressed a joint press conference along with Opposition leader in the assembly R Ashoka and Opposition leader in the Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.

Though the police had clearly warned that giving security to two RCB celebration events would be difficult, the CM insisted on holding them. The city police were pressured to give in, Kumaraswamy said, adding that the CM and his office were directly responsible for the tragedy.


The deaths of 11 were caused by the CM, DyCM, and the CM’s political secretary Govindaraju, an MLC, the union minister said. In a swift development later, the CM removed Govindaraju from the post in continuation of his tough action against officials. The CM also transferred the intelligence chief, Hemant Nimbalkar.

Vijayendra wondered how the event went despite the police refusing permission. The FIR states the event at Chinnaswamy stadium was illegal. “Despite this, why did Shivakumar go there and take part in the celebration?.”

Kumraswamy, who is also the state JDS president, said though it was the government that blundered, the CM made police officers including Commissioner B Dayananda, the scapegoat, thereby sending a terrible message to the public. The Commissioner has demonstrated his abilities by handling similar situations in the past, he added.

The BJP filed a police complaint at the Cubbon Park Police Station against the CM, Dy CM and Home Minister G Parameshwara accusing them of causing deaths and injuries to several people on Wednesday by allowing the two RCB celebration events without prior planning and by their negligent attitude.