Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Apr 5: Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a call to the nation to express unity to fight coronavirus by lighting lamps or flashing torches for nine minutes at 9 pm on Sunday, April 5.
Taking to Twitter, Kumaraswamy said that the real motive behind the PM's call was to celebrate the founding of BJP. "Has the PM slyly asked the nation to observe a candle light vigil on the eve of foundation day of BJP? April 6 being its foundation day, what else can explain the choice of date & time for this event? I challenge the PM to offer a credible scientific and rational explanation," he said.
"The government is yet to provide PPEs for doctors and make test kits affordable for the common man. Without telling the nation what concrete steps are being taken to combat COVID-19 menace, the prime minister is giving meaningless tasks to an already exhausted population," he further said.
"It is shameful to convert the national crisis into an event of self aggrandizement & it is beyond shameful to push the hidden agenda of his party in the face of global calamity. May sense prevail upon the PM," he added.
He further tweeted in Kannada: "The people of the country are concerned about protecting themselves from the deadly coronavirus pandemic. Without giving any directions in that regard, what is the scientific and ideological reason in asking the people of the country to light diyas on April 5 itself? This has to be clarified. Is this celebration required at this hour of calamity in the country in the name of showing unity?
"The whole world is devastated due to the coronavirus pandemic. During these difficult time was it necessary to celebrate untimely Diwali by hiding the truth?"
The former CM also quoted from the popular Kannada poem 'Karunalu Ba Belake, Musukidi Mabbinali, Kai Hididu Nadesennanu'.