Sick HDK skips Valmiki Jayanti, draws community's ire

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, who has been in poor health following his heart surgeries, had to make yet another hospital visit on Wednesday.

While the chief minister’s office (CMO) said he had come down with a stomach bug, his doctors said he was suffering from stress-related disorders.

Kumaraswamy, who cancelled his engagements for the day, underwent a routine check-up at the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology.

Speaking to DH, senior cardiologist and director of Jayadeva, Dr C N Manjunath said Kumaraswamy was declared normal, but was advised rest at least for a day.

“The chief minister had developed diarrhea upon his return from Mysuru Dasara festivities. Today, he complained of headache and dizziness. He is under a lot of work-related stress. We have conducted some investigations, including ECG, MRI and Echo. No abnormalities were detected. Since there is no cause for worry, he has gone back home. I have advised him to rest for a day,” he added.

Manjunath, who is Kumaraswamy’s cardiologist, also happens to be his brother-in-law. Kumaraswamy, a diabetic, has undergone two open-heart surgeries - once in December 2007 and the second time in September 2017. He is also prone to infections and allergies.

Kumaraswamy was supposed to participate in the Valmiki Jayanti celebrations at the Banquet Hall in Vidhana Soudha and later leave for Dharmasthala.

His absence drew the ire of the members of the Valmiki community, who demanded that his picture be removed from the LED screen in the hall. They even shouted slogans against Kumaraswamy for skipping the event.

Social Welfare Minister Priyank Kharge pacified them, saying Kumaraswamy could not participate in the event owing to ill-health.

In Bagalkot, BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa criticised the chief minister, his deputy G Parameshwara and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda, for giving the event a miss. Yeddyurappa said their absence had hurt the sentiments of the community.