3 days ago
‘Was Consulted': Siddaramaiah Changes Stance On RCB Event Week After Bengaluru Stampede
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Siddaramaiah said: "Govindraj called up the governor and handed me the phone...I told the governor that since I was attending the Vidhana Soudha event, he should too..."
After distancing himself from the June 4 RCB felicitation event for days, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah has now changed his stance — he said he was consulted for the Vidhan Soudha function.
The Karnataka government went ahead with a felicitation ceremony for IPL team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Vidhana Soudha on June 4, despite a clear warning from the police about potential security risks. Later that evening, a massive crowd of fans gathered outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for celebration of RCB's maiden trophy win in 18 years, resulting in a stampede that left 11 people dead.
Siddaramaiah had earlier said his government the state administration had no role in organising the felicitation event at the stadium and that he was merely invited to the Vidhan Soudha function.
'On the 4th of this month, the KSCA and RCB representatives held a felicitation programme for the players. At around 11:29 am, I was invited. They requested to hold the programme, and I agreed. The Chief Secretary also called me about this, and I said yes."
'The governor also attended the felicitation. The media is played it out in such a way, saying that the governor came of his own volition. That's not correct."
'My political secretary Govindraj called up the governor and handed me the phone, telling that the governor too was coming. I told the governor that since I was attending, he should attend as well. He attended, and the felicitation ended in 20 minutes due to the rains. He left from there, and I headed back to my residence," said the CM.
In a letter dated June 4, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) MN Karibasvanna had warned of security concerns and flagged these to the DPAR.
In a letter addressed to DPAR head G Satyavathi, Vidhana Soudha security division officials flagged serious concerns about inadequate personnel to manage security arrangements for the high-profile event.
First Published:
June 11, 2025, 18:41 IST
