Bengaluru RCB victory event stampede: BJP questions Congress government's 'haste'; Shivakumar gives 'ended in 10 minutes' reply

NEW DELHI: A political slugfest erupted between the BJP and the Congress in Karnataka after a celebratory event for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory turned into a deadly stampede in Bengaluru.

As the BJP slammed the Congress-led state government for "gross negligence" and "publicity-driven haste" that led to the loss of lives, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar defended the decision to continue the event after stampede saying the program was shortened to just 10 minutes.Speaking to the media, Shivakumar said, “I have spoken to the police commissioner and everyone. I will also go to the hospital later.

I do not want to disturb the doctors who are taking care of the patients. The exact number cannot be told now. We appeal to the people to remain calm. We shortened the program. The program ended within 10 minutes. We are trying to make everything normal... Lakhs of people came.”The stampede, which broke out due to overcrowding and alleged mismanagement at the event, has reportedly claimed eight lives and left at least 40 others injured.

Responding to the BJP’s criticism over the incident, the Deputy CM remarked, “They are there to allege and we are there to protect... yes, I am going to the hospital.”

The BJP accused the Congress-led Karnataka government of gross negligence and administrative failure. BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya took to social media platform X on Wednesday to express shock and anger over the incident that claimed seven lives and left several injured, many critically.

“Tragic stampede in Bengaluru. A celebration has turned into a nightmare,” Malviya posted. “This heartbreaking incident could have been avoided.

The lack of basic administrative foresight and failure in crowd control by the state government has led to an irreparable loss,” he said. Malviya further demanded accountability, stating, “Lives were lost due to negligence, not chance.”Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra also questioned the "haste" to hold victory parade. "The state government should take full responsibility for this tragedy. When the whole country and Karnataka were celebrating RCB's victory, the state government's haste to hold a victory rally without any prior preparations led to this tragedy. The state government never cared about prior preparations. They were more interested in publicity.

This resulted in the death of more than 11 people. Some people are in ICU. I spoke to some victims, there was no police inside, no ambulance facility. The CM should send the matter for judicial investigation," he said.