DK: Covid curbs are 'BJP’s curfew'

Shyam Sundar Vattam | NT

Bengaluru: Terming the curbs announced by the state government in the wake of a spike in Corona and Omicron cases in Karnataka as ‘BJP curfew’ and ‘BJP lockdown’, KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar said the Congress party would ‘walk for water’ come what may.

When the media asked whether the Congress would go ahead with its proposed ten-day padayatra from Mekedatu to Bengaluru from January 9, the Congress leader said “we are not taking out a padayatra but walking for water. Can’t we come out of our houses and walk? Will none of them walk during the week-end curfew?”

He said the restrictions had been imposed as it has become difficult for the ruling party to engage in politics which has become a tough challenge for them. “The government has been saying that over 3,000 Covid cases are detected daily in a population of six crore. Let them give a list of the positive patients so that we can go and infuse confidence in them. The government has banned rallies and protest marches but ours is a walk for water”.

Shivakumar said they were appealing to the government to allow them to go ahead with the padayatra which is aimed at ensuring water for irrigation purposes and drinking water for people of Bengaluru. Their padayatra was not a protest but only an appeal to the government. On Tuesday night, a notice had been served announcing a ban on protest marches and rallies.

In the wake of tough rules in Bengaluru, a meeting with Congress legislators of Bengaluru and other important leaders has been convened to elicit their opinion. They will strictly follow Covid guidelines and a 100-member team of doctors is ready to accompany them. “I will also talk to Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah in connection with the government rules”, he added.

The PCC President slammed the state government for delivering a deadly blow to traders, businessmen, street-vendors and drivers by announcing the curb as their activities have been hit in the last two years due to frequent lockdowns and restrictions. Another round of restrictions in the garb of night curfew and week-end curfew would ruin their lives.

On Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K. Sudhakar warning of booking cases against those who defy government guidelines, Shivakumar said first the government should first book a case against Dr. Sudhakar for swimming in a pool during the Covid first wave by flouting rules. Then cases must be booked against Transport Minister B.Sriramulu, former CM B.S.Yediyurappa, Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai and others for breaking Covid rules in the last two years.

Similarly, cases must be booked against central ministers for participating in the Jana Ashirwad rally held recently. Instead of sending notices to them, the government had booked a case and sent a notice to him. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been participating in election rallies almost daily. Already, Bengaluru Rural Congress MP D.K.Suresh has finalized the route map for the padayatra from Magadi to Kengeri which comes under his jurisdiction”.

Reacting to Revenue Minister R. Ashok’s statement defending the Corona curbs stating that life was more important, Shivakumar said the minister was not bothered about people’s health but concerned only about his party.