Govindaraj’s removal comes just three days after the stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on 4 June, which left 11 people dead and many others injured during a felicitation event for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL team.
Published Jun 06, 2025 | 5:26 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 06, 2025 | 6:13 PM
Govindaraj’s removal comes just two days after the sudden resignation of LK Atheeq
Synopsis: The Karnataka government has removed MLC K Govindaraj as the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s political secretary with immediate effect, following the tragic stampede at M Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people.
The Karnataka government on Thursday, 6 June, removed MLC K Govindaraj from the post of Political Secretary to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
“In continuation of Government Notification dated 01.06.2023, Sri K Govindaraju, who had been appointed as the Hon’ble Chief Minister’s Political Secretary, is hereby withdrawn from the said position with immediate effect,” a government notification stated.
“Accordingly, Sri K Govindaraju is relieved from the post of Political Secretary to the Chief Minister with immediate effect.”
Days after @lkatheeq quit as ACS to CM @siddaramaiah, his political secretary K Govindaraj has been removed from his post.
A man closely associated with sporting authorities, MLC Govindaraj’s removal as political secretary to CM comes 3 days after Chinnaswamy stadium stampede pic.twitter.com/eHyTUWmgds
— Anusha Ravi Sood (@anusharavi10) June 6, 2025
Closely associated with sporting bodies, Govindaraj’s removal comes just three days after the stampede at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on 4 June, which left 11 people dead and many others injured during a felicitation event for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) IPL team.
While no reason was offered on his ouster officially, sources in the government and police department point to a letter written by Govindaraj dated 4 June, that has the potential to embarrass the CMO.
The letter in question sought “arrangements for a big celebration for RCB team in Bengaluru on Tuesday”. The government, that is already under fire over the stampede and subsequent decisions, seems to be indulging in damage control with Govindaraj’s ouster.
His removal also comes just days after the sudden resignation of LK Atheeq, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister earlier this week.
Atheeq, a 1991-batch IAS officer, was considered one of Siddaramaiah’s most trusted aides in administrative matters.
His resignation, though not publicly explained, is being seen as a result of growing friction within the Chief Minister’s inner circle.
According to sources within the CMO, tensions had been building between Atheeq and a coterie of political figures and senior bureaucrats seen as aligned with one of the political secretaries of CM Siddaramaiah.
The Chinnaswamy stampede, which has been widely condemned across the state, prompted Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to suspend Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda in a late-night press conference held at Vidhana Soudha on Thursday.
The CM cited “serious lapses in planning and coordination” during the RCB victory parade and added that more police officers had been suspended.
However, the decision to suspend senior police officials has triggered sharp criticism from retired officers, citizen groups, and civil society, many of whom argue that the government is attempting to deflect blame away from political leadership.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
