'Why did you go to receive them?': Miffed, indignant Siddaramaiah questions DKS over RCB tragedy

Tensions flared in the recent Karnataka Cabinet meeting as Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly lashed out at Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar for personally welcoming the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team at HAL Airport earlier this week.

According to sources, Siddaramaiah expressed strong displeasure in front of fellow ministers, questioning DK Shivakumar’s decision to attend the event without any official protocol. “Why did you go to receive them? Was there any protocol that required you to be there?” the Chief Minister asked during the meeting, which took place two days ago under his leadership.

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Siddaramaiah reportedly felt the act gave the impression that the RCB event was organized or endorsed by the state government. “If it was necessary to welcome the team, couldn’t officers have been deputed instead?” he asked, suggesting that the move unnecessarily dragged the government into a controversy, especially after the tragic crowd crush incident that followed the RCB celebration.

Cabinet insiders say Shivakumar remained silent throughout the exchange, visibly uncomfortable as the Chief Minister continued to express his anger. Siddaramaiah is also said to be hurt by the damage to his personal image, noting that the controversy had cast a shadow over his otherwise unblemished 40-year political career.

The exchange has added fuel to ongoing speculation about rifts within the ruling leadership.