‘They are silent because Karnataka is their ATM’: Shobha Karandlaje slams senior Congress leaders over ‘silence’ on Bengaluru stampede

BENGALURU: Questioning the “silence” of the top leadership of the Congress party over the Bengaluru stampede incident, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Saturday said that no remarks had been made by them as they consider Karnataka as their “ATM”.

“I want to ask the Congress high command why they are silent. Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and others used to come here often. Where are they now? They are silent because Karnataka is their ATM. They should demand the resignation of the CM and the Deputy CM,” Karandlaje said in a press conference.

She further demanded that a sitting judge investigate the Bengaluru stampede.

Earlier, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi demanded that the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar should “resign right now” in connection with the June 4 stampede near Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives and left dozens injured.

#WATCH | Bengaluru: On the Bengaluru stampede, Union minister Shobha Karandlaje says, “A sitting judge should investigate it. I want to ask the Congress high command why they are silent. Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal and others used to come here often. Where are they now? They are… pic.twitter.com/rIOFH6LPjW

— ANI (@ANI) June 7, 2025

On Bengaluru stampede, Joshi told reporters, “The state government should bear moral responsibility. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar should not continue on his position even for a moment. CM and Deputy CM should resign right now.

Karnataka High Court has granted interim relief to the office bearers of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), who had approached the court seeking the quashing of the FIR registered against them in connection with the stampede. In an interim order, the court directed the state police not to take any coercive action against them until further orders.

The High Court adjourned the case to June 9.KSCA President Raghu Ram Bhat, Secretary A Shankar, Treasurer ES Jairam, and other KSCA office bearers moved the High Court seeking to quash the FIR. (ANI)