Bengaluru, Jun 17 (UNI) Mounting pressure on the Karnataka government over the stampede at the RCB fan event in Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives, the BJP on Tuesday staged a massive protest in Bengaluru demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.
Led by senior BJP leaders, including Vijayendra Yediyurappa and Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, hundreds of party workers and supporters gathered in the heart of the city, raising slogans and holding placards seeking justice for the victims.
Addressing the gathering, Vijayendra lambasted the Congress-led government for what he called complete administrative failure and irresponsible governance. He alleged that the stampede, which occurred during a fan event organised by the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru, was the result of the "political leadership’s negligence and internal power tussle".
"Even after 13 days, the government has not taken any moral or administrative responsibility. The Karnataka High Court has clearly observed that the political leadership must be held accountable, yet only police officials are being scapegoated," Vijayendra said.
"The tragedy at Chinnaswamy Stadium, which killed 11 innocent people, is a direct consequence of the competition between the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. Their infighting cost lives. Both must step down immediately," he added.
Speaking at the protest, BJP spokesperson Bhaskar Rao said, "In other incidents, administrative lapses may have occurred, but in this case, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are directly responsible. They created the conditions that led to this tragedy."
Rao also condemned the suspension of police officials, calling it "illegal and uncalled for." "Proper procedure was not followed. Officers had clearly warned that the event should be delayed by two days to allow for preparations. Their advice was ignored. Now, to shield themselves, the government is punishing those very officers," he said.
The protest saw heavy deployment of police forces to maintain law and order, though the event remained largely peaceful. BJP leaders made it clear that the agitation would intensify if the government continued to evade responsibility.
"The people of Karnataka are demanding accountability. We are not politicising the dead, but we will not rest until justice is delivered," Vijayendra asserted.
The BJP has announced that it will take the issue to every district of Karnataka if the Chief Minister and his deputy do not resign voluntarily.
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