‘What can I do?’: BS Yediyurappa loses cool over Chikkaballapur blast

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Tuesday lost his cool when reporters questioned the government on the Chikkaballapur gelatin blast.

“What can you or I do? What would you have done in my place? Did we ask them to do whatever they were doing in the wee hours?,” Yediyurappa asked reporters questions on why the government was not alert in the wake of a similar explosion at a quarry in Shivamogga last month.

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Six people were killed when gelatin sticks went off at a quarry in Hirenagaveli village in Chikkaballapur. This was the second such incident after six people died in a similar explosion at a quarry in Hunasodu village of Shivamogga about a month ago.

“This is the second such incident and these are illegal activities. We’re discussing what we need to do,” Yediyurappa said.

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Congress has accused the involvement of BJP leaders in illegal mining and quarrying across the state. “Allegations aren’t important. We need to be compassionate towards those who’ve lost their lives and make sure such incidents don’t happen again. Whoever is involved will face action,” he said.

Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah has blamed the state government for being lax over the issue. When asked about this, Yediyurappa said: “Siddaramaiah exists to make allegations. There's no need to take it seriously. We will take strict action against whoever is behind the incident. Let the Opposition also give suggestions. We will consider them."