Congress high command summons K’taka CM Siddaramaiah over Bengaluru stampede

The Congress leadership has summoned Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to New Delhi to present a detailed account of the stampede incident that claimed 11 lives near M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The tragedy unfolded during a public celebration for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) IPL success, drawing sharp criticism over its planning and execution.

CM Siddaramaiah is set to meet senior Congress leaders, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, on Tuesday, June 10. He will present a comprehensive report addressing the lapses in crowd management, police preparedness, and the roles of key officials, including Deputy CM DK Shivakumar and Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara.

Also read: Bengaluru stampede: 15 reasons why CM Siddaramaiah suspended top cop Dayanand

The Congress high command has reportedly taken serious note of the incident amid mounting pressure from the Opposition. Allegations have surfaced that the event was conducted despite the police not granting permission for celebrations at Vidhana Soudha and the stadium.

Ongoing investigations at judicial, CID, and magistrate levels are being closely monitored. The chief minister is expected to detail the progress of these probes and highlight the failures of the police and event organisers.

DK Shivakumar’s role will come under particular scrutiny, especially after criticism for leading the RCB team event through dense crowds. During a recent cabinet meeting, Siddaramaiah reportedly expressed dissatisfaction over Shivakumar’s actions.

The incident has placed the Congress government on the defensive, drawing comparisons to similar tragedies elsewhere and inviting political backlash.