'No tragedy despite 1.5 lakh crowd at final': BJP leader BY Vijayendra slams Karnataka govt over stampede, says RCB owners should also provide compensation

BENGALURU: Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government over the Bengaluru stampede that claimed 11 lives and left many injured near the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Calling the tragedy “avoidable,” Vijayendra demanded accountability from top state leaders and called for their resignation.“Even before the players had left the Taj West End Hotel, the stampede had occurred near the Chinnaswamy Stadium,” Vijayendra said, questioning the government’s decision to proceed with the IPL victory celebrations at Vidhana Soudha despite reports of deaths and injuries.He also criticised deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar for attending the felicitation event at the stadium while the tragedy was unfolding. “At the time of the incident, ambulances were not arranged. The state government must take full responsibility for the incident that occurred yesterday,” he said.Vijayendra further took issue with the state’s decision to order a magistrate inquiry instead of a judicial probe, alleging a lack of transparency and seriousness. “The chief minister and the ministers have become overly obsessed with publicity,” he claimed.Addressing the compensation announced by the state government—Rs 10 lakh per deceased—Vijayendra demanded more. “When someone died due to an elephant attack in Kerala, you gave Rs 25 lakh — then for the people of our state who lost their lives, Rs 50 lakh compensation must be given. The RCB owners must also provide compensation. The situation has come to a point where the chief minister, deputy chief ministers, and the Home Minister must resign,” he said, adding that RCB owners must also contribute.