Doctor, cook, yoga guru on board HDK's swanky election bus

JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy Kumaraswamy, who will revive his village stay/‘grama vastavya’ programme from mid-November, will have a yoga instructor, a physician and a cook on call during his election tour.

The trio will travel with him to north Karnataka villages in the brand new hi-tech caravan, specially designed to meet his requirements.

The 57-year-old leader recently underwent a heart surgery and has been advised rest for the next few weeks. That is why he has pushed the village stay initiative to mid-November.

Kumaraswamy said the health scare has made him realise that he needs to take better care of his health. “I have always neglected my health, especially during my tours. At times, I have had my first meal in the wee hours of the day. The erratic eating and sleeping habits have taken a toll on my health. Hence, these elaborate measures,” he said.

“The doctors have advised me not to stay overnight at villagers’ homes as I am susceptible to infections. I am too apprehensive after the second heart surgery. Hence, it was decided that a health professional accompanies me,” he added.

He said that his first village stay will be in Basavana Bagewadi on November 15. Kumaraswamy plans to cover 62 taluks in 50 Assembly constituencies. “I aim to visit 20 villages every day. The custom-made bus will cater to all my needs — I can bathe, eat, hold meetings and even sleep in it,” he added.

The Rs 1 crore bus will be donated to Kumaraswamy by party minority cell president Syed Altaf.