Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Jan 14: "The Congress leaders do not have even an iota of common sense. They showed disdainful behaviour against Covid rules and indulged in Padayatra as if they were vying for the chief minister's chair," commented MLC and BJP state general secretary N Ravikumar.

Ravikumar addressed a press conference here on Thursday January 13. "The Congress leaders were informed about the high court advice not to organize Padayatra when the covid19 is spreading fast. The chief minister as well as ministers had requested the Congress not to undertake the programme. D K Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah overlooked people's opinion and suggestions in newspaper editorials against the said programme and went ahead with the proposed Padayatra connected with the Mekedatu project," he said.

He noted that the high court had wondered whether the Padayatra was a necessity at a time when Covid infection is proliferating. It also asked the government why the Padayatra cannot be stopped. The programme was organized without any semblance of humanity. Many who participated in the Padayatra have Covid infection. Out of 100 who were tested in Ramanagara yesterday, 30 have tested positive. This is not Congress Padayatra, but a process meant to worsen the Covid situation, he fumed.

Ravikumar blamed the Congress high command of extending help to D K Shivakumar who is trying all the tricks to become the next chief minister. "Why did the high command not take the initiative to stop the Padayatra? Party's state in-charge, Surjewala, has issued instruction today to stop the Padayatra if the situation goes out of hand. How much has the situation to vitiate for them to stop the programme? Congress and its high command have generously contributed for the worsening of Covid situation," he stated. He also said that in spite of ill health, Siddaramaiah took part in the programme in order to make sure that Shivakumar does not take the entire credit," he commented.