BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra calls Bengaluru stampede deaths dark episode in history of Karnataka, urges CM, Deputy CM and HM to resign-OxBig News Network

Karnataka unit BJP president B. Y. Vijayendra
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Shivamogga

Terming the death of 11 persons in the stampede during celebrations of RCB’s win in the IPL tourney as a dark episode in the history of Karnataka, BJP State unit president B.Y. Vijayendra demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar and Home Minister G. Parameshwara.

In a press conference in Shivamogga on June 10, Mr. Vijayendra said that he had written an open letter to the Chief Minister conveying the people’s sentiment following the tragic incident. “Innocent people lost their lives because of the irresponsible and self-centred decisions of the Chief Minister and the government.”

Referring to the CM’s statement that the government had no role in the deaths, and there was no untoward incidents during the event at Vidhana Soudha, Mr. Vijayendra commented that such a statement would prompt him to doubt the maturity of the Chief Minister who has been in politics for long. “The CM’s statement that he had no information about the deaths in the stampede for two hours after the incident showed how weak his administration is,” he stated.

Mr. Vijayendra took the government to task for suspending police officers. The government went ahead with the programme ignoring the advice of police officers. The CM and government organised the programme without proper planning with the intention of gaining the goodwill of cricket fans. It took unilateral decisions and forced police officers to follow them.

“The CM suspended five police officers hoping that the government can address the public anger over the incident. However, it is quite clear that the tragedy occurred because of irresponsible decisions of the CM, Deputy CM and Home Minister,” he maintained.

He urged the trio to introspect and resign from their positions. “There are many incidents in the past when people in high posts resigned, taking moral responsibility when they faced serious allegations,” he said.

BJP to plan protests across Karnataka

Mr. Vijayendra said that the BJP would stage protests across Karnataka against the Congress government for its role in the stampede. The party would stage a protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on June 13. The second phase of protests would begin on June 16. Party workers would stage protests in all Assembly constituencies.

Legislators Dr. Dhananjay Sarji, D.S. Arun, district BJP president N.K. Jagadish and others were present at the press conference.