The Congress high command has summoned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar to Delhi following a tragic stampede that left 11 dead in Bengaluru.
The June 4 disaster outside Chinnaswamy Stadium, during a packed celebration for Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory, has not only triggered public outrage but also laid bare the fault lines in Karnataka’s Congress leadership. Tensions are simmering. And now, the party’s central leadership wants answers.
Celebration Turns into Chaos on Bengaluru Streets
Thousands of fans had gathered outside the iconic stadium in the heart of the city. What was meant to be a jubilant evening—filled with music, cheers, and cricket fever—quickly spiraled into horror.
As crowds swelled beyond what authorities could manage, panic broke out. People stumbled, fell, and were crushed. Eleven people lost their lives. Dozens more were injured. Ambulances arrived late. Barricades collapsed. And amidst it all, questions started flying.
Why wasn’t crowd control planned better? Who gave the green signal for such a massive gathering with so little preparation?
It didn’t take long before fingers pointed in multiple directions.
The Blame Game Begins at the Top
Sources close to the state administration say the event was largely pushed forward by DK Shivakumar, who is not only the deputy CM but also the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president.
Shivakumar, seen as a crowd-puller and popular with party workers, had reportedly taken charge of organising the celebration. Siddaramaiah, meanwhile, is said to have kept a distance from the planning.
Behind closed doors, murmurs suggest that Siddaramaiah may have deliberately stayed hands-off to avoid political fallout. In public, however, he has carefully chosen his words.
One senior Congress MLA said, “There’s clear discomfort between the two. This incident has only widened the crack.”
Congress High Command Steps In
The situation couldn’t be ignored any longer.
On Monday, party leadership in Delhi summoned both leaders. Rahul Gandhi is expected to meet them separately and together on Tuesday. The goal: to assess the damage, politically and otherwise, and try to contain what looks like a slow-burning leadership rift in Karnataka.
A brief statement from Siddaramaiah’s office confirmed his travel: “CM Siddaramaiah will meet party leadership in Delhi and will brief them on the latest developments.”
Shivakumar, already in Delhi for another government program, is expected to meet Gandhi earlier in the day.
And while there’s no official word from the party yet, insiders say the mood in Delhi is anything but casual.
A Tragedy That Could Have Been Prevented
The most painful part? This disaster was avoidable.
There were no clear caps on crowd numbers. Permissions for the celebration were reportedly granted hastily. And security arrangements were thin, to say the least.
An initial report by Bengaluru police has raised red flags on the lack of coordination between the event organizers and civic authorities. Even basic things like water stations, emergency exits, and crowd barricades were missing or poorly planned.
Here’s what early findings suggest:
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The crowd size far exceeded what the stadium area could support
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Only 213 police personnel were deployed for a crowd estimated at 80,000+
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Medical response was delayed by at least 15 minutes in most cases
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Entry gates were blocked due to last-minute VIP protocol changes
It was a recipe for disaster.
Inside the Siddaramaiah–Shivakumar Rivalry
The stampede has thrown a spotlight on a rivalry that has been simmering under the surface ever since Congress returned to power in Karnataka in 2023.
While Siddaramaiah enjoys a strong mass base and has twice held the chief ministerial chair, Shivakumar’s ambitions are no secret. He had to settle for deputy CM after intense internal bargaining. Both camps have been watching each other closely ever since.
And now, this tragedy might just become the flashpoint.
One Congress strategist admitted, “This isn’t just about a stampede anymore. This is about who controls the narrative in Karnataka.”
Public Anger, Media Scrutiny, and Political Damage
The stampede has left a deep scar on the city.
Social media has been flooded with videos of the chaos. Grieving families have spoken out, blaming the state for negligence. News channels have aired hour-long debates with survivor accounts and expert panels.
And with Bengaluru’s local elections just months away, the political stakes are only getting higher.
Will Delhi Intervene Further?
The big question is: Will the Congress high command step in to enforce accountability?
While disciplinary action hasn’t been ruled out, insiders believe the party will tread carefully. Karnataka is the only major southern state where Congress holds power, and losing grip over it could damage their national strategy.
That said, there’s pressure to act.
“People have died. The party can’t afford to be seen as indifferent,” said a senior functionary based in Delhi.
For now, the spotlight is firmly on Tuesday’s meetings with Rahul Gandhi. Whether it ends with a handshake or a shake-up, one thing is clear—the stampede has turned into a political reckoning.
