'Why do I need RCB?' - Karnataka's Deputy CM DK Shivakumar puts full stop to claims about him buying stake in IPL franchise

Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar was rumoured to buy Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), following the stampede incident, which has put them in trouble. Shivakumar was linked to eyeing a stake in the Bengaluru-based team. However, he dismissed all the rumours and claimed that he had no business investing in RCB.

Shivakumar claimed he was not a mad person and added that he was just a former member of the KSCA. He claimed not to have time to invest in RCB and claimed he was offered to be a part of the management, which he rejected. Shivakumar said he does not have time to run his own educational institutions and has resigned from his posts to allow other family members to take care of them.

"I am not a mad man. I am just a member of the Karnataka State Cricket Association since my younger days. That's all. I don't have time. Though I had offers to be a part of the management, I have not gone to any of these. I don't have time for my own educational institution. I have resigned and left it to my other family members to take care of it. Why do I need RCB? I don't drink Royal Challenge either," said Shivakumar as per the Financial Express.

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Poonawalla and Joshi criticize Karnataka Government

Shivakumar was asked about the move following BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's criticism of the Congress-led state government over the Bengaluru stampede incident, which witnessed the unfortunate deaths of 11 fans and left over 40 people injured. As Shivakumar was a part of the celebrations organized by RCB, he was targeted by the duo.

While Poonawalla claimed that the Karnataka government had made the police a scapegoat and escaped taking responsibility for the stampede incident, Joshi asked the Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar to resign from their roles. He also claimed that the government continued to conduct the event despite advice from the DCP not to conduct celebrations within 24 hours of the IPL final.