'If PM Modi Resigns Over Pahalgam, Our CM Will': Karnataka Cong MLA Downplays Bengaluru Stampede As 'Accident'

Karnataka MLA Belur Gopalakrishna called Bengaluru stampede an accident, criticised the BJP for politicising it, and suggested increased compensation for victims.

Drawing a comparison, he questioned how many lives were lost during the Maha Kumbh Mela stampede.

Source : X

Karnataka Congress MLA Belur Gopalakrishna on Saturday termed the Chinnaswamy stampede which claimed 11 lives, an accident and further urged Opposition parties not to politicise the tragedy. Karnataka Minister for Education Madhu Bangarappa rejected the demand for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's resignation stating, "Who will ask for resignations regarding the Pahalgam attack?"

'Did You Resign?,' Asks Cong MLA

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Saturday, MLA Belur stated, "The BJP is politicising the stampede incident by pretending to stand with the families of the victims. How many were killed in the Prayagraj tragedy in Uttar Pradesh? If Prime Minister Narendra Modi resigns, our party will also call for a resignation here. No one should indulge in stirring up emotions."

MLA Belur acknowledged that the incident should not have occurred but regrettably did. He noted that police officers have been suspended and the Chief Minister’s Political Secretary has been removed from his post. Belur stated that both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are addressing the matter responsibly, emphasising that the events were accidental and have caused pain to all involved. He urged against creating confusion around the issue.

Drawing a comparison, he questioned how many lives were lost during the Maha Kumbh Mela stampede. He also argued that the current compensation of Rs 10 lakh for victims is inadequate and should be increased to at least Rs 50 lakh, promising to appeal to the government for the same.

Belur further accused the BJP of politicising the tragedy and criticised Union Minister for Large and Heavy Industries, HD Kumaraswamy, for demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

"You (Kumaraswamy) say anything. You should be ashamed. During the violence following the death of Kannada cinema legend Dr Rajkumar, I witnessed how police shot down. You were the CM then; did you resign?" he asked. He added that such a large turnout of the crowd was unexpected on June 4 during victory celebrations.