Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, May 12: "We have no objections if MP Tejasvi Surya, brings bed blocking scandal to the notice of the government. When making an allegation, it should be backed by noble intentions. But Surya was backed by evil intentions. Bommanahalli MLA Satish Reddy, was ensuring that beds were allotted to people of his choice, which was stopped by officer Yeshwant. Satish Reddy's supporters went to the war room to attack the official. To cover up these things, Surya has come up with the bed blocking story. Further, he has also injected communal virus in the issue. Why did he read only the names of Muslims who he said were involved? Out of 205 people, why did he pick and read only these names? It is clear that he was charged with communal enmity," Siddaramaiah, leader of the opposition in the assembly said slamming MP Tejasvi Surya.

Siddaramaiah (left) and B S Yediyurappa

Siddaramaiah addressed a press conference on Tuesday May 11. "MLA Zameer Ahmed Khan, has been giving food kits and honorarium of Rs 5,000 to each of the medical workers in his constituency. He is doing an appreciable job," he said. He noted that the state is facing a shortage of vaccines. He pointed out that the government had said that vaccination drives for the above 45 and above 60 age group would continue, but the government is staring at vaccine shortage and is unable to give the second dose, he pointed out. He revealed that Covaxin is not available in the state. He said it is the responsibility of the government to administer second Covaxin dose. He said that if the second dose is given after six weeks, it will prove to be a waste.

In the matter of inaugural of the drive to vaccinate people above 18, he said that the chief minister unveiled the programme without vaccines. He said even after ten days of the inaugural, the vaccine has not arrived. He advised the government not to give false hope to the people, duly terming it as an irresponsible act of the government. He charged Yediyurappa of telling lies when he said that everyone would be vaccinated. He wanted to know where the vaccine which the chief minister had promised is.

"The government has announced a lockdown. After the lockdown, where will the workers, auto rickshaw drivers, street vendors, barbers, washermen, goldsmiths etc go? Do they have saved money with them? Therefore, I had suggested to announce financial package to them. I did not criticize but made a suggestion. If they do not implement, it shows their anti-poor policies. If the coffers are empty, the government should disburse money to these deprived classes by borrowing funds," he urged.

When Yediyurappa’s reaction was sought about demands made by various opposition parties to announce a special package for the poor, he said that the government currently has no such proposal. He said that the corona is slowly coming under control in the state and requested the people to cooperate with the government.