Karnataka DyCM Shivakumar Dispels RCB Buyout Rumors Amid Stampede Tragedy
GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 11th June: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has firmly denied buying the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). This comes days after reports suggested current owners, United Spirits, were looking to sell a stake in the team.
United Spirits, the Indian arm of UK-based Diageo Plc, quickly clarified the situation. On June 10, they informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that such “media reports are speculative in nature and it is not pursuing any such discussions.”
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Addressing the persistent rumors, Shivakumar was straightforward. “I am not a mad man,” he said in a video shared by news agency ANI. “I’m just a member of the Karnataka Cricket Association from my younger days, that’s all. I don’t have time, though I had offers to be part of the management… Why do I need RCB? I don’t even drink Royal Challenge.”
The talk of a potential sale emerged right after RCB secured their first-ever IPL title. However, the joyous celebrations quickly turned tragic. On June 4, a deadly stampede occurred outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Thousands of ecstatic fans had gathered for the official celebrations, but the venue became dangerously overcrowded. When fans tried to force their way in, chaos erupted, leading to fatalities.
Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi heavily criticized how the event was managed. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Modi offered his deep condolences to the victims’ families, calling the incident “gross mismanagement.”
“First and foremost, my condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the stampede. This should never have happened. The entire event was poorly planned and executed,” Modi stated. He added, “There is so much mudslinging and finger-pointing going on, but the issue is simple – the event should never have been allowed without proper arrangements in place. The authorities failed, and the team management should also have ensured fan safety before participating in the so-called celebrations.”
The tragic stampede has cast a somber shadow over RCB’s historic win, raising serious questions about crowd control and safety at major public events.
