Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Jun 17: Senior Congress leader B Janardhan Poojary on Saturday June 17 lambasted chief minister Siddaramaiah over the proposed law by the state government to control costs in private hospitals and clinics which resulted in the shutdown of hospitals and clinics in the state in protest on Friday June 16.
Addressing media here on Saturday June 17, Poojary said, "The private hospitals and clinics observed bandh in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi after chief minister Siddaramaiah proposed the law to control the private hospitals and clinics. Patients ran helter-skelter as doctors remained unavailable due to the bandh.
"Before proposing the law have you (Siddaramaiah) approached the Karnataka Pradesh Congress executive committee or mention about the proposed law in the party manifesto during the last elections? Did you take permission from the high command? Who gave you the right? Are you a dictator?" he questioned the chief minister.
He further told Siddaramaiah, "Are you aware about the condition of the patients and impact of the bandh? Have you gone out of your mind? You need to have some concern towards the poor people and think before you propose a law. Have you visited hospitals in Manipal which have changed drastically compared to earlier days? Instead of proposing this law it is better to develop government hospitals which are in pathetic condition."
Warning that Siddaramaiah's 'attitude' would bring Congress party's downfall, Poojary said, "Siddaramaiah has a lot of attitude and he does not even take suggestions before proposing laws. There has to be some limit in your (Siddaramaiah's) decisions. Do not bring downfall to the Congress party which you never built. It is better for you to leave the party. Party representatives have worked hard to build the party. Instead of taking the state a step forward, you are taking it backward."
Karunakar, Kallige Tharnath Shetty, Vijay Kumar Shetty and others were present.