Karnataka: Man With Gun Garlands CM Siddaramaiah, Transport Minister At Bengaluru Rally. Police Cite Exemption

The viral video showed a man, identified as Riyaz, abruptly climbing onto the vehicle with a gun strapped to his waist and garlanding the CM.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah campaigned for Congress candidate from Bengaluru South constituency Sowmya Reddy on Monday ( Image Source :PTI )

During a Congress campaign rally in Bengaluru South Constituency on Monday, a man carrying a gun approached Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and garlanded the leader. The individual had a gun tucked in his trousers when he climbed onto an open vehicle with the CM at Bhairasandra.

In the roadshow on Monday, CM Siddaramaiah was joined by Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and his daughter Sowmya Reddy, who is the Congress' Lok Sabha candidate for the Bengaluru South seat, in the vehicle.

The viral video showed a man, identified as Riyaz, abruptly climbing onto the vehicle with a gun strapped to his waist. While chanting slogans in favour of Congress, Riyaz garlanded Reddy, his daughter Sowmya, and others.

As Riyaz was getting down from the vehicle, Siddaramaiah and others noticed the gun.

According to the police, Riyaz has been carrying a gun since surviving a violent murderous attack several years ago, and he has been granted exemption from surrendering it, according to PTI.

In response to the incident, Bengaluru South DCP Lokesh Jagalasar said that the police have detained Riyaz in connection with the case and are currently conducting an inquiry. Additionally, they are investigating the reason behind him carrying the firearm close to the Chief Minister.

Taking to X, Karnataka BJP said, "It has been proved that those who garland the Chief Minister @siddaramaiah are hooligans, rowdies, street thugs."

"Gun-wielding rowdies, who used to be seen in the birthday posters, are now posing in front of the society with guns and garlands in CM and DCM's in rallies. Although the election code of conduct is in force, they are carrying guns and demonstrating like this to intimidate the voters in the area," it said.