Who Invited the Governor to the RCB Players' Felicitation Event at Vidhana Soudha?

Bengaluru, June 9 (NationPress) In reaction to claims of protocol breaches and perceived disrespect towards Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot at the event on the majestic steps of Vidhana Soudha honoring the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players on June 4, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar stated on Monday that he is unaware of who extended the invitation to the Governor.

Reports indicate that the Governor was made to wait on stage for the players, with Congress leaders allegedly neglecting him while taking selfies with the team members.

Shivakumar, speaking to the press in Delhi, remarked, "One should inquire directly with the Governor regarding his invitation. I possess no information about it. An inquiry commission is currently investigating the incident, and my comments should not sway the investigation."

When questioned about a possible meeting with Congress high command leaders, the Deputy Chief Minister stated it was not feasible for him to meet them at this time.

"On June 18, I will travel to Delhi for a scheduled meeting with the Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Paatil concerning the Krishna river water award. We are also considering a meeting with the Prime Minister," he added.

"I must return to Karnataka today to participate in a meeting regarding the Yettinahole drinking water project," he mentioned.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and former Chief Minister of Karnataka, H.D. Kumaraswamy, criticized CM Siddaramaiah on social media for the recent stampede in Bengaluru that resulted in the loss of 11 lives.

Kumaraswamy took issue with Siddaramaiah's assertion that nothing significant occurred during the felicitation event for the RCB players at Vidhana Soudha, stating, "The government celebrated victory at Vidhana Soudha. No fatalities occurred there! Only near Chinnaswamy Stadium did a stampede happen, leading to casualties!! -- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah."

"Respected Siddaramaiah sir.. Are you the Chief Minister of Karnataka, or merely the Chief Minister of the Vidhana Soudha steps!? Please clarify!" he demanded.

"How just is it to shift all responsibility for the tragedy onto the police? Why this attempt to evade accountability by blaming the Opposition?" he remarked while criticizing Siddaramaiah.

Responding to Kumaraswamy's remarks, D.K. Suresh, a former MP and Shivakumar's sibling, stated, "After the RCB's victory, BJP and JD-S leaders had posted on X requesting a procession for the team. However, their stance has since shifted. A U-turn by the BJP is not surprising."

When asked about the BJP's call for the resignations of Deputy CM Shivakumar and CM Siddaramaiah, Suresh remarked, "Both parties had previously demanded a procession, asking, 'Are you insulting sports fans? Can't you organize a procession?' The BJP has consistently exhibited this tendency since the Congress government assumed power. The populace did not grant them a majority. We will compile a list of significant tragedies that have transpired in BJP-led states. If BJP leaders possess any integrity, they should resign first."

In response to Kumaraswamy's claim that former PM Manmohan Singh did not resign after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, the Congress leader countered, saying: "Former CM Vilasrao Deshmukh resigned after that incident. Kumaraswamy has evidently forgotten this. He cannot function without recalling D.K. Shivakumar. I urge him to prioritize his health and serve the citizens of this country."

Addressing rumors regarding Deputy CM Shivakumar's visit to Delhi supposedly at the Congress high command's request, Suresh clarified, "The media is disseminating falsehoods. This is untrue. Tenders have been issued for solid waste management in Bengaluru. In this regard, Shivakumar has traveled to Delhi with a group of 15 Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike officials to examine new waste disposal technologies. He is also meeting with Delhi's Urban Development department to discuss new road construction plans."