'Two poles' in Karnataka govt to deal with COVID-19 situation

Taking a swipe at two Karnataka ministers over alleged lack of cooperation in combating coronavirus, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Sunday said "two poles" have emerged in the government to deal with the situation in the state, which could cause panic among people. In a series of tweets, Kumaraswamy gave a slew of suggestions to tackle the viral disease.

Taunting Health Minister Sriramulu and Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar, he asked them to cooperate with each other while sensitizing people about the disease. "Two poles have emerged in the government to sensitize people about the steps taken to deal with coronavirus," Kumaraswamy tweeted.

"Let health minister B Sriramulu and medical education minister Dr. K Sudhakar work in tandem. Let there be mutual cooperation. It should not become a publicity stunt. People should not get confused," he said. "Let people not panic as it will have adverse effect on public life," he added.

Reacting to Kumaraswamy's remarks, the Health Minister said the JDS leader should set aside politics during a sensitive situation and help create awareness among people about coronavirus. Questioning the way coronavirus patients were being treated, Kumaraswamy said, "The government is saying it is quarantining the patients but is it appropriate to treat them with others? It should consider using vacant government buildings to treat such patients." He claimed that treatment in isolation was the only way to prevent the disease from spreading further.

Sudhakar called Kumaraswamy's taunt "childish" and said, "My appeal to the former chief minister is to keep aside politics in such a sensitive situation and assist in creating awareness among people." "You too stay safe. It is not expected from you to cause panic among people," he tweeted. So far seven cases of coronavirus have been reported, of which a septuagenarian died in Kalaburagi.