English
Bengaluru: A man created a stir during a roadshow in Bengaluru South by garlanding Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Congress’s Lok Sabha candidates while carrying a holstered gun. The video footage capturing the worker with a firearm dangling from his belt next to the political leaders raised eyebrows and concerns. The video is said to be of a campaign rally attended by CM Siddaramaiah and other senior Congress leaders near Wilson Garden on Monday April 8. In the 25-odd second video, the man identified by police as Riaz Ahmed wearing a white shirt and brown trousers and sunglasses carrying a pistol in his hip climbs atop the campaign vehicle of Siddaramaiah along with other Congress leaders and garlands the leaders including the party’s candidates for the Karnataka Lok Sabha constituencies.
DCP Lokesh Bharamappa Jagalasar mentioned that Ahmed was exempted from surrendering the firearm due to perceived threats to his life, stemming from an attack in 2019 after switching from the Social Democratic Party of India to the Congress.
The incident has sparked questions regarding security protocol violations during elections. As per the Model Code of Conduct, all firearms must be surrendered, with exemptions granted only through an official permit. The additional commissioner of police is currently investigating the matter.
“The incident occurred close to Wilson Garden. As for the weapon, it is licensed, carried by Riyaz for self-defence after previous attacks. An inquiry is ongoing,” stated a senior police official.
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