Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru 

Bengaluru, Oct 4: Former chief minister (CM), H D Kumaraswamy, has expressed the opinion that lack of trust and coordination between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka chief minister B S Yediyurappa has been the reason for the inordinate delay in releasing flood relief funds to the state. 

Kumaraswamy, who had served as CM of Karnataka for 14 months, before the present regime, said that the PM was cooperative with him during his tenure. “During my tenure, Kodagu was hit by severe floods. However, Narendra Modi coordinated with me well and ensured the relief works were carried out,” he said. 

Kumaraswamy also rubbished Yediyurappa’s claims that the government coffers were empty when the previous government stepped down. “I know the treasury is full as I served as the previous CM of this state. We had carried out relief works without waiting for the Centre to provide funds first,” he said. 

More than 80 people lost their lives due to floods and rains in Karnataka and over seven lac people were displaced. Heavy rains which hit the state during August this year, have affected 103 taluks across 22 districts. 

Karnataka has estimated losses worth Rs 35,160 crore. The floods destroyed 2.47 lac homes, 6,664 schools, 3,422 Anganwadis and over 300 primary health centres. 

On September 28, Yediyurappa had assured that the compensation would be released by the centre in three days and farmers are eagerly waiting for money to rebuild their lives.