Bengaluru: The political tug-of-war over the tragic stampede during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL victory celebration took a fresh turn on Monday, as sources in Karnataka Raj Bhavan contradicted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s earlier claims about the event’s organisation.
According to highly placed Raj Bhavan officials, the state government had initially informed the Governor’s office that the RCB felicitation would be held at Vidhana Soudha — and had officially invited the Governor to attend. This directly contradicts the Chief Minister’s public statement, where he insisted the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) had organised the event and extended the invitation to the Governor independently.
“After a communication from the DPR department, the Chief Secretary spoke to me, and even the police consented to it. Only then did I approve it,” Siddaramaiah had told reporters on Sunday, distancing his government from direct involvement. He maintained that the KSCA handled the logistics and formalities.
The controversy stems from a tragic stampede during the event, which drew heavy criticism from opposition parties BJP and JD(S). Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy even alleged that Siddaramaiah had pressured the police, a claim the CM dismissed as “a complete lie.”
Now, Raj Bhavan insiders claim it was the Chief Minister’s office that officially invited the Governor for the Vidhana Soudha event — a move that raises questions about the government’s role and responsibility in managing the high-profile gathering.
Earlier, police sources had reportedly recommended holding the celebration on Sunday to better manage crowd control, but the government allegedly proceeded with the Monday event despite warnings.
As the political blame game intensifies, grieving families and the public await accountability. A judicial inquiry has been ordered, but the conflicting narratives from the highest offices in the state have only deepened public frustration.
For now, amidst the jubilation of a long-awaited IPL trophy for Bengaluru, the shadow of a poorly managed celebration continues to haunt the city.
