BENGALURU — In the aftermath of the tragic June 4 stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium that claimed 11 lives and injured over 50 people, the Karnataka government on Friday dismissed K Govindaraj from his position as Political Secretary to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, marking a major fallout from the incident.
An official notification from the Chief Minister’s Office read:
“The appointment of K Govindaraj as Political Secretary to the Chief Minister is hereby revoked with immediate effect.”
While the order doesn’t explicitly mention the stampede, political observers and insiders view the dismissal as part of a broader damage-control effort following intense public and opposition criticism.
Key Developments:
🔹 Govindaraj’s Role Under Scrutiny
- Govindaraj, also the President of the Karnataka Olympic Association, was closely linked to the planning of the RCB victory celebrations.
- A letter dated June 4, reportedly signed by Govindaraj, had requested arrangements for a “grand celebration” in honour of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
- The letter has since become a source of embarrassment for the CM’s Office amid questions over crowd management and event oversight.
🔹 Other High-Profile Exits
- Earlier this week, LK Atheeq, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM, resigned unexpectedly, further fuelling speculation of internal discord.
- On Friday, ADGP (Intelligence) Hemant Nimbalkar was also shunted out, although he continues as Commissioner of Information and Public Relations.
🔹 Opposition’s Strong Reaction
- BJP State President BY Vijayendra accused the Congress-led government of reacting under pressure rather than taking proactive measures.
- “The government woke up only after public outrage and media coverage,” he said, pointing to the sudden suspension of Bengaluru Police Commissioner and five other senior officers.
Govindaraj Responds:
“Who am I to advise the Chief Minister?” Govindaraj said, denying allegations that he influenced the planning of the event.
“I head the Karnataka Olympic Association, not any cricket body.”
Background:
The stampede occurred on June 4 during the planned celebrations of RCB’s IPL performance, outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Overcrowding and inadequate crowd control measures are believed to have caused the deadly surge.
What’s Next:
The government is expected to face further questioning in the assembly, and investigations are underway to determine accountability. As pressure mounts, additional administrative reshuffles are not ruled out.
Stay tuned for updates on the ongoing fallout from the RCB stampede tragedy and its political ramifications in Karnataka.