Nirmala shouldn’t have lost her cool: Sa Ra Mahesh

As the row over spat between him and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman refused to die down, Kodagu district incharge Minister Sa Ra Mahesh on Saturday said the Union minister lost her cool as he pointed out violation of travel protocol and accused her of discriminating against Kodagu people.

“It was unfortunate that she did not announce any financial aid. Following primary assessment, we had said that the district suffered a damage of at least Rs 2,000 crore. In Kerala, the damage is much more severe. But financial package was announced without need for a report. The Centre could have given us at least a part of what was given to Kerala,” he said.

When asked, Mahesh refused to give a number for the state’s expectation from the Centre but said being an MP from Karnataka, Nirmala should have responded to the need of the state. “As Defence minister, she should not have created a scene for pointing out that she should take feedback from officials as per the time fixed in the TP (travel protocol),” he said.

Stating that officials cannot lose time as they need to be on the ground for relief works, he said the Nirmala was holding a meeting with other persons. “After that, she was leaving for another meeting. So, I had to point out that officials should not be made to wait in the present situation,” Mahesh said.