From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 10: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee Chief D K Shivakumar, on the second day of his 10-day-long padayatra demanding implementation of Mekedatu drinking water programme, on Monday confirmed that State Government’s heath officials had come and met him Sunday evening.

“The Assistant District Health Officer and his staff came home last night to test me. They want to test and give a Covid positive report,’’ alleged in his native Doddalahalli in Sathanur, and claimed that he was ‘hale and hearty’.

“I told them (Health Officers) that I am very fit and am capable of walking for 15 days. I asked them to join him (in the padayatra),’’ Shivakumar said and claimed that he did not have any infection. “There are a dozen doctors in my residence and half a dozen owners of medical colleges. I have no infection and, therefore, there is no need for any test,’’ he said and mentioned that he sent the Health Officers back.

“Even the officer who came to my residence last night is said to be Covid positive. I don’t know if it is true or not. But who sent him to collect my test samples and why? Is it to claim that I am his primary contact,’’ he asked.

Shivakumar also said that the Deputy Commissioner (of Ramanagara district) was Covid positive. “If it is correct, did the Chief Minister and Ministers, who sat next to him (Deputy Commissioner) at the official function in Ramanagara district also get infected,’’ the Congress leader wondered and alleged that the State Government was hatching a big conspiracy against him and the Congress party. “They somehow want to stop the padayatra. It is their big plan,’’ he charged.

The KPCC Chief contended that the State Government wants to harass the people landing in the airport by claiming that they are infected. “This is ruling BJP’s strategy to claim that positive cases are more. This is nothing but BJP Covid, BJP curfew and BJP lockdown to harass the people,’’ he said demanded a judicial probe into the government’s claims on surge in Covid infections as people without any symptoms are also termed as Covid infected.

Shivakumar criticized the Bommai government for registering FIRs against 30 Congress leaders, including himself, his brother DK Suresh, Siddaramaiah and other leaders. There were only 30 persons on the dais before the launch the start of the padayatra on Sunday morning at Sangama in Kanakapura. “There were thousands of people who attended the function. I will give details. Let them file cases against everybody. We will fight,’’ he said making it clear that the Congress party has taken up the ‘Walk for Water’ as it is the right of the people and party workers and friends have joined along with people from all sections.

He alleged that Home Minister Araga Jnanendra had organized a jatra in his native place recently. BJP leader Guttedar had organized a public function with thousands of people. Chief Minister’s Political Secretary Renukacharga had flouted the Covid norms. “Why no cases have registered against any of these people. I have received photos and videos of Covid norm violations from 127 taluks on Sunday and people have moved around freely. I will give details. Would the government register cases against all,’’ he asked and wanted to know no case was registered on the function held in the banquet hall of Vidhana Soudha in which Chief Minister himself was present.

“I have asked the legal wing of the party to legally fight all cases and also the violations by the ruling party. Do you think we will sit quiet? We know how to fight,’’ he declared.

Answering questions on the government’s claim that the Congress party will be responsible if there is a surge in Covid cases, he said the party has taken all precautions, people are wearing masks and using sanitisers.

The Congress leader claimed that the party had received a notice against holding the padayatra. “But it is not a legally valid notice. The Supreme Court itself has clearly stated as to when and how the Section 144 prohibitory orders must be used.

He clarified that Congress opposition leader Siddaramaiah went back as he had fever and wanted to join today itself. But he was asked to take rest and come later and will be there with the padayatra.

Earlier in the morning, Shivakumar got a haircut and trimmed his beard in Doddalahalli in Sathanur with his childhood friend Nagaraj.

He offered pooja and later visited the Maralegavi mutt to obtain blessings from pontiff Dr Mummadi Shivarudra Swamiji at Kanakapura.