Bengaluru, Oct 19 (IANS): Karnataka BJP's dalit face and deputy chief minister, Govind M. Karjol, who has come under severe criticism over not visiting flood-affected areas, has shot off an emotional letter to people of Bagalkote district, stating that the voters must forgive him not visiting his people as he was "emotionally shattered" over his son, Dr Gopal Karjol who is critically ill and on ventilator for the last 24 days in the hospital.

In a letter posted on his Twitter account, titled - My Service Your Pleasure (Seve Nannadu, Sweekara Nimmadu) - emotionally appealed to people not to judge him by his lone action of not coming to them this time.

"I know I could not be on your side at this hour of distress. I had not told anyone till date about my son not being discharged till date, who is on ventilator due to Covid attack," he said.

The letter further read that he (Gopal) needs better treatment, therefore, we have decided to move him to a super speciality hospital in Hyderabad.

"He needs me and my family's presence even more than before. That is why I have not been able to be on your side. He is 43-year old and I am doing what a father should do at this hour," he said.

He further stated that everyone thinks that as minister, his family lives in a comfortable bungalow, but at times, this materialism becomes just any other trap.

"I am deeply distressed. Along with my family members who were hit by Covid virus, I had come out after treatment but not my son, Gopal who is on a ventilator for the last 24 days. He is fighting his biggest battle, so are we as a family. People of Bagalkote, must forgive me for not being with them," he signed off, ending his letter with Seve Nannadu, Sweekara Nimmadu.

It can be recalled that Congress leaders including Leader of the Opposition, Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, D. K. Shivakumar along with several other leaders had trolled Karjol heavily on Social media sites for not criticising flood affected areas in North-Karnataka region instead of taking part in BJP campaign in Sira Assembly by-polls.

After this, several Media channels launched a campaign - Absentee Ministers - and raised several valid questions though but prominently, Karjol appeared on every channel.

Just three days ago, notwithstanding the Dy. CM's emotional appeal, Shivakumar as well as Siddaramaiah continued to demand Karjol's resignation for him not able discharge his duties as a minister.

Continued attacks on him seem to have triggered Karjol to post such an emotional message on his Twitter.