Bengaluru Tragedy: BJP Blames State Leaders
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Karnataka government of causing the Bengaluru stampede, holding the CM and Deputy CM accountable. The tragedy, involving an IPL victory parade, led to questions about event clearance and accountability standards, with Poonawalla challenging Congress leaders to enforce similar accountability measures.

- Country:
- India
In a scathing attack, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Friday criticized the Karnataka state leadership over the recent stampede in Bengaluru, describing the incident as a "state-sponsored man-made disaster." Poonawalla directly attributed responsibility to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, whom he labeled as A1 and A2, accusing them of deflecting blame rather than accepting accountability.
The BJP spokesperson further raised concerns about the decision-making process leading up to the tragic event. He questioned the urgency of organizing a large-scale program for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team on short notice, as well as the approval process for the parade's clearance. Poonawalla highlighted that, despite punitive actions against some officers, the political leadership has yet to face consequences.
Poonawalla also called upon Congress national leader Rahul Gandhi to enforce accountability standards for Karnataka's top officials. He argued that there should be consistency in how accountability is demanded of leaders, criticizing the current efforts as an attempt by state leaders to shield themselves from responsibility by shifting blame to others.
(With inputs from agencies.)
ALSO READ
Mango Standoff: Karnataka's Plea against Andhra Pradesh's Ban
Karnataka Tragedy: Call for Accountability in Chinnaswamy Stampede
Karnataka CM Urges Ban Lift on Totapari Mangoes in Chittoor
Karnataka Faces Torrential Downpours: Schools Closed Amid Red Alert
Karnataka Braces for Heavy Rainfall: Orange Alert and Holiday Announced