Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Apr 4: Even as the country as a whole is engaged in a grim battle against coronavirus, two ministers from Karnataka who are expected to be at the centre of this action, are holding their self-prestige above other things. Because of this, in spite of the state having a minister for health and another for medical education, the primary and secondary education minister has been given the responsibility of briefing the media about coronavirus status.

It is common knowledge that health minister B Sriramulu, and medical education minister Dr K Sudhakar, are engaged in a cold war since the last three weeks. Because of this, the chief minister has handed over the responsibility of official declaration of coronavirus status to education minster, S Suresh Kumar. But this measure might prove to be counterproductive as Suresh Kumar is not known to be media savvy, and as education minster, he often resorted to Facebook and Twitter to make information public instead of going to the press.

Sriramulu (left) and Sudhakar

This also has created a piquant situation for the commissioner and secretaries of health and medical education departments as they are in a fix over whether to obey the instructions of their respective ministers or that of Suresh Kumar.

There had been differences between these two minsters over their respective jurisdiction on coronavirus handling. They used to vie with each other in addressing the press. Later, to clear the air, a gazette notification was issued, as per which the coronavirus issue was entrusted to Dr Sudhakar, even though the issue related to health department. The two ministers continued to be engaged in tussle over several issues including finalizing contracts and purchase of ventilators. It is said that the party cadre had conveyed to the central leadership about the serious dent the fight between the two personalities left on coronavirus handling in the state.

Reportedly, national president of the BJP J P Nadda, contacted the chief minister and asked him to address the differences between the ministers. On Friday, a meeting between the two ministers was held at the chief minister's home office, Krishna. As the issue of handling coronavirus infection continued to pose problems, the Friday bulletin was released by Suresh Kumar. In the meanwhile, efforts are on to address the differences between these two ministers and find an amicable solution early.