Ktk: BJP stage protest, demand resignations of CM, DyCM
Bengaluru, June 8 (UNI) The BJP On Sunday demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Deputy DK Shivakumar, holding them directly responsible for the stampede at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here that claimed eleven lives.
Staging a vociferous protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at the Karnataka Vidhana Soudha, BJP leaders squarely blamed the top brass of the Congress-led state government, including Home Minister G Parameshwara, accusing them of "gross negligence" and "willful disregard" for safety protocols despite warnings.
Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister CN Ashwathnarayan said, "At every level, officials opposed holding the event at the Vidhana Soudha and the KSCA stadium. Yet the government pushed ahead. Now, they are trying to pass the blame to KSCA, RCB, and police officials. But it is the Congress government that led the celebrations, issued invitations, and failed to ensure public safety. The Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Home Minister must be held accountable and resign immediately."
Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka reiterated the BJP's long-standing demand. "Right from the first day, we have been demanding the CM's resignation. This government has utterly failed, even in managing a public event.
"When all departments rejected the plan, who was the mysterious gentleman that forced it through? Those who insisted on going ahead must be punished. This is our party's firm stand," he said.
Legislative Council LoP Chalavadi Narayanaswamy was categorical in his accusation. "Despite police warnings, the government went ahead with the event. Eleven lives have been lost. The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are directly responsible and must step down," he said.
Former Minister Prabhu Bhamla Chavan echoed the charge, holding the Congress government fully liable for the tragedy. "The government, the CM, DCM, and Home Minister are answerable for this loss. The Chief Minister should have prioritised this from the start. This is not just our demand — it is the demand of six crore Kannadigas. There is widespread public outrage, and the people blame the Congress leadership," he said.
The protest, which saw party workers and leaders raising slogans and holding placards, underlined BJP's call for a judicial inquiry into the stampede. The party asserted it would continue its agitation until top-level accountability is fixed and the ministers in question step down. UNI BDN SSP
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