Bengaluru: In a major security breach, a Congress worker carrying his licenced pistol in a holster attached to his belt garlanded Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an election rally near Wilson Garden in Bangalore South Lok Sabha Constituency on Monday.

Siddaramaiah was campaigning for Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy’s daughter and Congress candidate Sowmya Reddy.

The worker, identified by the Police as Riyaz Ahmed from the Siddapura area, climbed onto the vehicle where Siddaramaiah and other political figures participated during the rally. He shouted slogans in support of the CM and garlanded him, along with Ramalinga Reddy and others.

During his brief time in the canvassing vehicle, the pistol in the holster attached to Ahmed’s belt was clearly visible. A viral video captured Siddaramaiah noticing the pistol as Ahmed descended from the vehicle.

In a post on the microblogging site ‘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.

DCP (South) Lokesh Bharamappa Jagalasar stated that an inquiry into the incident is being conducted by the Additional Commissioner of Police (West).

Jagalasar further explained that Ahmed was exempted from surrendering the firearm during elections due to concerns about his safety.

 Riyaz Ahmed has been carrying a gun since a murderous assault on him a few years ago, and he has been exempted from surrendering his gun. Ahmed had previously been attacked in 2019 after switching from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) to the Congress. Officers noted that it seems Ahmed did not intentionally display the pistol. Nevertheless, the incident raises significant security concerns.