Man with gun goes close to CM Siddaramaiah, garlands Minister during poll campaign
Mangalore Today News Network/News18
Bengaluru, April 09, 2024: A man carrying a gun went close to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while he was campaigning in an open vehicle on Monday and garlanded Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy who was standing next to him.
The incident happened at Bengaluru’s Bhairasandra when Siddaramaiah was campaigning for Reddy’s daughter and Congress’ Lok Sabha candidate Sowmya Reddy.
The man, identified as Riyaz, made a sudden climb on the vehicle while a gun was fastened to his waist and raised slogans in support of Congress. He then went on to garland Reddy, his daughter Sowmya and others.
As he was getting down from the vehicle, Siddaramaiah and others on the vehicle noticed the gun.
Riyaz carrying a gun while meeting Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah during Model code of conduct
— ℙ𝕣𝕒𝕜𝕒𝕤𝕙 𝔾𝕒𝕟𝕒𝕥𝕣𝕒 मोदी का परिवार (@JPG2311) April 9, 2024
Appeasement taken to next level by Congress@ECISVEEP @HMOIndia pic.twitter.com/prZSBX06na
According to the police, Riyaz has been carrying a gun since a murderous assault on him a few years ago and he has been exempted from surrendering his gun.
Sharing a post on X, the BJP targeted the chief minister, saying this proves that “those who garland” Siddaramaiah are hooligans, rowdies and street thugs.
“Gun-wielding rowdies, who used to be seen in the birthday posters, are now posing in front of the society with guns and garlands the CM and deputy chief minister in the rallies. Although the election code of conduct is in force, they are carrying guns and demonstrating like this to intimidate the voters in the area,” the party said.