Latest news with #VijayendraYediyurappa
United News of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Stampede deaths: BJP demands Cong govt ouster
Bengaluru, June 6 (UNI) The BJP on Friday strongly demanded the ouster of the Congress government in Karnataka, holding it morally responsible for the loss of 11 lives following the stampede during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL victory celebration. BJP state chief Vijayendra Yediyurappa referred to a written communication by Cubbon Park Police denying permission for the June 4 celebration, warning of uncontrollable crowds and security risks. 'Despite this, the CM tweeted inviting people to a felicitation at Vidhana Soudha. Lakhs of fans gathered there. Who gave permission for that?' Vijayendra questioned. He further alleged that permission was also denied for any celebration at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, yet an event was held there with full participation of Deputy CM Shivakumar. 'The police themselves have confirmed that no permission was granted and an FIR has been registered. Then why did the Deputy CM participate? Who allowed the crowd to gather?' he said. The BJP leader accused the government of trying to shift blame to KSCA, RCB, and event organisers, while shielding those in power. 'Making KSCA or RCB the scapegoat will not suffice. The real accountability lies with those who encouraged the celebrations despite red flags from law enforcement,' he asserted. Meanwhile, senior BJP leader R Ashoka, while speaking to media in a joint presser with JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy, charged the Congress government with pressuring the police and event organisers to proceed with the celebrations. 'The government went ahead with the programme without authorisation, ignoring all police objections and standard protocols. This reckless decision directly caused the chaos and loss of lives,' Ashoka said. He condemned the state leadership for politicising the event. He accused Congress leaders of focusing on photo ops and publicity rather than public safety. 'While Bengaluru faced floods and chaos, the government was busy organising a large, unauthorised gathering. They neglected the welfare of the city's residents and the youth who came to support their team,' Ashoka said. Demanding a CBI probe, he said, 'The people must know who forced the police to bend, who gave the green light despite risks, and who must be held accountable for the tragedy.' 'The law must prevail. No one, not even ministers or Chief Ministers, are above the law,' Ashoka said. UNI BDN PRS
United News of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
Ktk: BJP demands High Court probe in RCB stampede
Bengaluru, June 5 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday demanded a judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge and compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the families of each deceased victim in the stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium ahead of IPL winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) victory celebrations. Eleven people died and 33 others were injured on Wednesday in the tragic incident. Launching a scathing attack on the Congress-run Karnataka government, BJP state president Vijayendra Yediyurappa held it "squarely responsible" for the stampede. He said the incident denoted a "criminal failure of governance". Addressing a media conference, Vijayendra accused the Congress government of turning a celebration into a "catastrophe" through its "gross negligence". "This was not an accident — this was avoidable, and it happened because the state government failed in its fundamental duty to protect its people. When over two lakh fans had gathered, there was no crowd management, no police preparedness, and no safety protocol," he said. The BJP leader alleged that while chaos unfolded at the Stadium, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, his deputy DK Sivakumar and other cabinet colleagues were busy near the Vidhana Soudha taking selfies with IPL players. 'At a time when deaths were already being reported, ministers were engaged in photo sessions. This is the height of insensitivity,' he remarked. Taking serious objection to the Chief Minister's statement that the tragedy occurred only at the stadium and not near the seat of government, Vijayendra said, 'This is a clear attempt to deflect responsibility. While lakhs gathered for celebrations, the police were deployed to guard the VIP zone around the Vidhana Soudha. The state failed to ensure any security for the masses.' Rejecting the state government's decision to order a magisterial inquiry, he said such probes lack the power to summon senior officials and ministers. 'This is a matter of criminal negligence. A sitting High Court judge must conduct an independent probe. Anything less is a cover-up,' Vijayendra said, adding that the deaths should not be treated as mere 'unnatural deaths' but as a result of administrative recklessness. Vijayendra also raked up the issue of compensation, contrasting the state's earlier announcement of Rs 25 lakh to the family of a man who died in an elephant stampede in Kerala. 'Why not Rs 50 lakh for each family that lost a loved one here in Bengaluru due to the government's failure?' he asked, demanding the government announce the enhanced ex gratia immediately. He further urged the government to reach out to the RCB owners, reportedly based in Dubai or London, so that they also contribute to the relief package for the victims' families. Finally, Vijayendra warned the Congress government against attempting to pin the blame on the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). 'This is not about cricket associations. The state gave the green signal for the event and failed to ensure infrastructure and safety. That is criminal misconduct,' he said. UNI BDN SSP
NDTV
6 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"Let Chief Minister Fix Responsibility": Karnataka BJP Head On Stampede
Bengaluru: The Karnataka BJP has demanded action and accountability over lapses that led to a stampede in Bengaluru during the IPL victory celebrations of RCB. Eleven people were killed in a stampede outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium. A huge crowd had also gathered outside the Vidhana Soudha, where the RCB squad proceeded from the airport to meet with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra Yediyurappa said Siddaramaiah is answerable for the tragedy, and alleged the ruling Congress government was interested only in publicity than people's safety. He gave the example of how more than one lakh people turned up in the last world cup and the state government managed the crowds well. "Was it not the responsibility of the state government to be prepared for this? More than 11 lives are lost. The chief minister should answer for this," the state BJP chief told NDTV. "This is not the first time. In the last world cup, more than a lakh people were there. The state government managed the crowd. The state government was aware more than a lakh will turn up [today], should they have not been prepared?" he said. "Unfortunately, the state government was more interested in publicity than people's safety." Mr Yediyurappa said when the police denied permission for crowds to enter Vidhana Soudha, stones were thrown towards the podium, which could have led to safety issues for the RCB squad. "Whatever happened is unfortunate. The way the state government reacted after the tragedy is also unfortunate. They should have stopped the celebrations right after the tragedy. Let the chief minister decide who is responsible. Someone has to be held accountable," the state BJP chief said. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಚಿನ್ನಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣದಲ್ಲಿನ ಐಪಿಎಲ್ ಸಂಭ್ರಮಾಚರಣೆಯ ವೇಳೆ ಕಾಲ್ತುಳಿತಕ್ಕೆ ಸಿಲುಕಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಪಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಗಾಯಾಳುಗಳ ಕ್ಷೇಮ ವಿಚಾರಿಸಲಾಯಿತು. ಆರ್.ಸಿ.ಬಿ ವಿಜಯೋತ್ಸವದ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರೀಕ್ಷೆ ಮೀರಿ ಜನಪ್ರವಾಹ ಹರಿದು ಬಂದ ಹಿನ್ನೆಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಉಂಟಾಗಿರುವ ದುರಂತದಲ್ಲಿ 11 ಮಂದಿಗೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಅಭಿಮಾನಿಗಳು... — Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) June 4, 2025 In a post on X, Siddaramaiah said he was "deeply shocked to hear the news of the stampede". "The pain of this tragedy has also erased the joy of victory," he said, and asked the public to give safety first priority. ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿನ ಚಿನ್ನಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಕ್ರೀಡಾಂಗಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಆರ್ಸಿಬಿ ತಂಡದ ಗೆಲುವಿನ ಸಂಭ್ರಮಾಚರಣೆ ವೇಳೆ ನೂಕುನುಗ್ಗಲು ಉಂಟಾಗಿ ಹಲವರು ಪ್ರಾಣ ಕಳೆದುಕೊಂಡು, ಮತ್ತೆ ಕೆಲವರು ಗಂಭೀರ ಗಾಯಗೊಂಡ ಸುದ್ದಿ ಕೇಳಿ ತೀವ್ರ ಆಘಾತವಾಗಿದೆ. ಈ ದುರಂತದ ನೋವು ಗೆಲುವಿನ ಸಂಭ್ರಮವನ್ನೂ ಅಳಿಸಿಹಾಕಿದೆ. ಮೃತರ ಆತ್ಮಕ್ಕೆ ಶಾಂತಿ ಸಿಗಲಿ, ಗಾಯಗೊಂಡು ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ... — Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) June 4, 2025 At a press conference this evening, the chief minister said they did not expect the tragedy as the stadium can accommodate 35,000 people. "But the number of people who turned up is estimated to be two-three lakhs. We assumed there would be as many people as the stadium would accommodate or a bit more, but not as many as had actually turned up," Siddaramaiah said. He announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who were killed in the stampede, and free treatment for the injured. Officials who were inside the Bengaluru stadium were not aware what was happening outside, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal said. Mr Dhumal sought to know who organised the Bengaluru event as the celebrations already happened in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, and for the BCCI the IPL also ended on Tuesday. "We spoke to the management when we got to know about the situation and they assured us they will finish the ceremony quickly. This is definitely sad and tragic. RCB officials assured me that they will wind up the celebrations now," Mr Dhumal said. He said the officials did not know a tragedy had struck the fans outside the stadium, he added.
NDTV
6 days ago
- General
- NDTV
"Stadium Capacity 35,000 But 2-3 lakh Turned Up": Siddaramaiah On RCB Tragedy
Bengaluru: Hours after 11 people died in a stampede today, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah admitted they did not expect such huge crowds to turn up at the IPL victory celebrations of RCB in Bengaluru. He expressed shock and extended condolences to the families of the 11 people. He said the "pain of this tragedy has also erased the joy of victory." At a press conference this evening, the chief minister said they did not expect the tragedy as the stadium can accommodate 35,000 people. The chief minister said the IPL final match continued till late Tuesday night. The state cricket association organised the victory celebrations, and the government also planned events as part of the occasion, he said. "The crowd turnout exceeded all expectations. Over one lakh people gathered in front of Vidhana Soudha, but no untoward incident occurred at that venue. However, the tragedy occurred at Chinnaswamy Stadium. No one anticipated this - neither the cricket association nor the government. The stadium has a seating capacity of 35,000, but an estimated two to three lakh people turned up. We did not expect such a massive turnout; we had only anticipated a crowd equal to the stadium's capacity," Siddaramaiah said. He announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the families of those who were killed in the stampede, and free treatment for the injured. The Karnataka BJP has demanded action and accountability over the lapses that led to the stampede. Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra Yediyurappa said Siddaramaiah is answerable for the tragedy, and alleged the ruling Congress government was interested only in publicity than people's safety. He gave the example of how more than one lakh people turned up in the last world cup and the state government managed the crowds well. "Was it not the responsibility of the state government to be prepared for this? More than 11 lives are lost. The chief minister should answer for this," the state BJP chief told NDTV. "This is not the first time. In the last world cup, more than a lakh people were there. The state government managed the crowd. The state government was aware more than a lakh will turn up [today], should they have not been prepared?" he said. "Unfortunately, the state government was more interested in publicity than people's safety."
United News of India
7 days ago
- General
- United News of India
Vijayendra likens Karnataka govt to Tughlaq rule
Bengaluru, June 3 (UNI) Karnataka BJP president Vijayendra Yediyurappa on Tuesday launched a fierce attack on the Congress-led state government, accusing it of running a "Tughlaq-style administration" that is dismantling democracy and suppressing dissent, particularly in Dakshina Kannada and other coastal districts. Speaking to reporters here, Vijayendra said, "The government's actions are completely destroying law and order in the coastal belt. If, instead of taking corrective steps, it continues to use the police like goons, the BJP will not sit with its hands tied." He stated that he had already discussed the issue with national BJP leaders on Monday night, and that a delegation comprising party MPs and MLAs would meet senior police officials to raise concerns about police excesses. Reacting strongly to the recent externment orders against Sangh Parivar leaders in Dakshina Kannada, Vijayendra likened the current Congress regime to medieval feudal rule. 'Once upon a time, kings and landlords ruled arbitrarily. Today, the Siddaramaiah-led government is running a Tughlaq-style administration that is suppressing democracy and harassing nationalists,' he said. The BJP leader further alleged that the government was diverting attention from its developmental failures by targeting Hindu activists. 'People across the state are angry about the lack of progress. Instead of addressing these issues, this government is resorting to shameful acts and conspiracies to defame and insult Hindu leaders,' he said. UNI BDN PRS
