'Siddaramaiah, grandson were relishing 'basundi' after learning of Bengaluru stampede deaths': HDK

The Congress government in Karnataka has suspended five senior police officers including Bengaluru police commissioner B. Dayananda only to “cover up” its mistakes – alleged the opposition BJP and JDS leaders during a joint press meet held in Bengaluru on Friday. They urged the Congress high command to “kick out” both Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar from the party to save Karnataka and their party too.

“If Congress wants to survive in the state, the party high command must kick both the CM and Dy CM out and appoint a new CM,” said Kumaraswamy, alleging that the CM not only took part in the felicitation of the RCB team at Vidhana Soudha that had turned into a selfie time for the kith and kin of the ministers and MLAs but also visited a popular food outlet with his grandson after the event.

“The CM was relishing ‘basundi’ along with his grandson at Janardhana hotel even after learning about the stampede deaths,” alleged Kumaraswamy.

The JDS leader made serious allegations against the CM stating that he (Siddaramaiah) had overruled the city police chief’s decision to deny permission for the victory celebrations the very next day after the winning match and also for holding two back-to-back events citing security concerns and the police force being fatigued after the night-long duty (victory celebration) on June 3.

The JDS leader stated that as per the FIR against the KSCA and RCB, Shubendu Ghosh, CEO of Karnataka State Cricket Association had sought permission (on June 3) to host victory celebrations at the Chinnaswamy stadium on June 4. Later, KSCA wrote to the DPAR secretary seeking permission to use the grand steps of the Vidhana Soudha for the felicitation of the RCB team.

“The police commissioner had denied permission to the KSCA and RCB to hold two separate events at short notice anticipating a huge crowd. The commissioner had said the police personnel had spent a sleepless night owing to the victory celebrations (on Jun 3) as lakhs of fans had come out to the streets to celebrate the RCB victory,” said HDK. 

The commissioner had also warned of security issues if two different events were to be held on the same day. “But the organisers went to the CM, got the commissioner summoned to the CM’s residence. The CM told the police that he was the CM and did not want to go to the stadium. The commissioner yielded and deployed all the city police personnel at the Vidhana Soudha, while KSRP companies were posted at the stadium,” said Kumaraswamy who also claimed that the suspension of the cops was also a “drama” enacted by the government to escape legal scrutiny and to pacify the people.

“Dayananda is a capable officer who has effectively managed major events like the New Year celebrations. However, I feel the suspension of one of the officers (DCP) is a hogwash as the suspended cop is a close aide of a minister. He must have been promised plum posting or promotion to lie low for some time, till people forget about this incident,” alleged Kumaraswamy, also slamming Shivakumar for “hijacking” the event.

BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra said the FIR was filed against RCB and KSCA, but the real culprits were the CM, Dy CM and the home minister. “In fact, the CM is directly responsible for the stampede as he gave an open invitation to people to attend the victory celebration at Vidhana Soudha at 4 pm, calling it a historic moment. The police officers have been made scapegoats though they had denied permission for the events,” said Vijayendra.

LOP R. Ashok mocked the CM and Dy CM and said the Vidhana Soudha event was a self-serving gimmick of the two leaders which had put many lives at stake for want of proper preparations and adequate security.

“The RCB team won the IPL, and the KPCC team clicked selfies with the trophy. CM wants to hit a century (complete five-year term) but Dy CM, the bowler, wants to get the CM run out. The people of the state have suffered a hit wicket, 11 lives have been lost. The trophy was kissed by the ministers and their children. They hijacked the moment of triumph from the players who worked hard for the victory,” mocked Ashok, reminding that when Bengalureans were drowning in flood waters, the Congress government was celebrating ‘Samarpana Samavesha’ at Ballari.

“This is Andha Darbar of the Siddaramaiah government. It was the policemen who carried the stampede victims on their shoulders to the hospital and gave them first aid. The Congressmen and D.K. Shivakumar were busy clicking photos at the stadium. The BJP will continue to play politics if people can get justice by doing so. We will indulge in politics as long as you find scapegoats to hide your failures,” warned Ashok.