Daijiworld Media Network - Raichur (SP)

Raichur, Jun 4: Praying to Guru Raghavendra to rid Karnataka of the grip of coronavirus, minister K S Eshwarappa, accompanied by dozens of BJP workers, paid obeisance at the Nava Vrindavan and moved around with people without observing rules of social distancing.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that coronavirus has been posing threat to India and therefore he visited Mantralaya to pray to get rid of this problem. "Even though Modi is the hero of the nation, I prayed to the Guru to shower blessings and protect everyone," he said, speaking at Elebichali in Raichur.

Eshwarappa said that there is no provision for the public to visit Mantralaya but he obtained special permission and met the Swamiji of the Math there. "I am an ardent devotee of Guru Raghavendra. I obtained Swamiji's permission to pay respects at the temple," he said. Accompanied by party workers, he visited Nava Vrindavana of Guru Raghavendra at Elebichali. There too no social distancing norms were followed.

Eshwarappa said that in some cases everyone has to be together, and strictly following social distancing is not possible. "I am not aware of the dinner politics. They might have come together and have food together. They might have come together for some work. I do not know what Ramesh Katti or Dinesh Katti did," he commented.

He said that a decision will be taken about the gram panchayats as their terms are ending soon. "We need to decide whether to appoint administrators or committees to manage the affairs. We have asked Election Commission to conduct election but the commission is reluctant because of corona situation. Congress has been levelling baseless allegations against us," he stated.

Eshwarappa said that the government has created jobs for rural youth through National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NAREGA) scheme and they were given work in over 5,800 gram panchayats. He also said that the previous dues are being released, and everyone who wants to work is being given work by preparing job cards. He said that out of the central grant, Rs 40,000 crore has been set aside to create employment for the poor.

Eshwarappa also participated in some programmes at Raichur taluk and inspected works undertaken under NAREGA scheme.