Should Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar Resign Over Chinnaswamy Stampede?

Synopsis
In a heated response to the stampede tragedy at Chinnaswamy Stadium, BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari demands the resignations of Karnataka's Chief Minister and his deputy, holding them accountable for the loss of innocent lives. This call sparks a wider debate about responsibility and governance in the state.
Key Takeaways
- BJP demands resignations of Karnataka's top leaders.
- 11 lives lost due to the stampede.
- Accusations of negligence against Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar.
- Police under scrutiny as blame is shifted.
- Call for justice for victims' families.
New Delhi, June 6 (NationPress) The BJP has taken a strong stance against the ruling Congress in Karnataka regarding the tragic stampede at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium. BJP's National Spokesperson, Pradeep Bhandari, has called for the immediate resignations of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy, D.K. Shivakumar.
Bhandari expressed to IANS, “If D.K. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah possess even a fraction of sensitivity, they ought to step down from their roles. However, it's evident they won’t, as they were celebrating while ordinary Kannadigas were losing their lives outside the stadium. Such indifference is to be expected from them. The Karnataka Congress government, under Rahul Gandhi's guidance, has shown that it disregards the well-being of the common people in Bengaluru.
He further stated, “Both Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar bear direct responsibility for the deaths of 11 innocent individuals in Karnataka. If any FIR is warranted, it should be against them.”
“It’s common knowledge that they (Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar) were aware that the police had reservations about the event being held within 24 hours due to the expected crowd. Nevertheless, succumbing to the pressure from D.K. Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, the event proceeded. Police were allocated for VIP security instead of ensuring the safety of ordinary Kannadigas. Out of 21 gates, only three were opened for public access,” added Bhandari.
“The Karnataka government is shifting blame onto the police by filing FIRs against them. They are suspending officers while the Karnataka Cricket Association claims it granted permission, but the stadium and authorities clarified that the state government requested permission. This indicates that the detailed planning for the entire event was orchestrated by Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar themselves. Therefore, the individuals seeking to file an FIR are merely attempting to evade responsibility,” the BJP leader asserted.
“The responsibility lies squarely with the chief minister. Both Siddaramaiah and D.K. Shivakumar are culpably negligent, and an FIR should be lodged against them. The Magisterial inquiry is a mere façade. True justice for the victims can only be achieved when Siddaramaiah resigns and D.K. Shivakumar is subjected to an investigation for criminal negligence,” concluded Bhandari.