Bengaluru, June 6
In the wake of the backlash over the stampede near the Chinnaswamy Stadium during the RCB's celebrations in which 11 persons were killed, the Karnataka government on Friday sacked K. Govindaraju from the post of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Political Secretary.
The government has not given any reason for the ouster of Govindaraju, a close confidante of Siddaramaiah and a Congress MLC. However, sources say that the move has come following severe criticism from various cabinet ministers for organising the felicitation programme for the RCB players at the Vidhana Soudha.
According to the sources, there was an outburst from ministers in the cabinet meeting held on Thursday evening. CM Siddaramaiah had reportedly given permission for the felicitation programme due to the pressure from Govindaraju, who is also the President of the Karnataka Olympic Association.
Addressing a press conference here with BJP leaders, Union Minister for Large and Heavy Industries and JD-S leader H.D. Kumaraswamy also claimed that the tragedy took place because of Govindaraju.