Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 13: Congress MLC Harish Kumar alleged that the 'Namaste Trump' programme organized at Ahmedabad on February 24 was the root cause for the spread of coronavirus infection in states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. He stated that coronavirus had already made inroads in the USA by then.

He was addressing a press meet here on Tuesday, May 12.

"About 20,000 foreigners had taken part in that programme. If we compare with the rest of India, the highest number of coronavirus affected people are from Ahmedabad. Therefore, I urge the central government to reveal the source through which this disease was introduced to the country for the first time," he said.

Harish said that the chief minister, when announcing compensation to the working class due to lockdown, has left out some classes of workers. "The government has announced compensation to workers holding badges. It should come out with relief package for beedi workers, barbers, petty shop keepers, street vendors, tailors, private bus staff," he demanded.

The MLC said that the Prime Minister has not extended any assistance to the state government, and even during the video interaction with the chief minister, he has shirked from making any formal announcement and only extended suggestions.

MLA U T Khader blamed the central government for not releasing any fund to the state government, even though a sum of Rs 3,000 crore was contributed by Karnataka people to Prime Minister's Care Fund. He said that the central government had not even parted with the state's share in the GST fund. He said that the central government has neglected Karnataka even during this crisis created by coronavirus while giving funds to some other states. He demanded resignations of all the MPs from Karnataka as they do not have the courage to demand for funds from the centre.