Resort stay row: Shivakumar bats for Kumaraswamy

Water Resources Minister D K Shivakumar on Sunday defended Chief Minister Kumaraswamy, who has come under criticism for staying in a luxury resort, when almost the entire state is reeling under drought.

Kumaraswamy reviewed the drought situation at the recently held Cabinet meeting. He has issued appropriate directions to his Cabinet colleagues on providing relief measures to the affected people, he told reporters on seeking his reaction to principal Opposition party BJP’s criticism on Kumaraswamy’s resort stay.

Shivakumar said Kumaraswamy has been discharging his duties properly. The government has taken all necessary measures to mitigate drought conditions. Drinking water is being supplied to more than 2,500 affected villages through tankers. We have also ensured sufficient storage of water in all dams, he added.

“The chief minister has campaigned day and night in the Lok Sabha polls. There is nothing wrong if he is taking rest now. We don’t have to take advice from the BJP in running the administration,” the minister stated.

Kumaraswamy was staying at a luxury resort in Kodagu district for the past two days. It is the second time he has taken rest at a resort after Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka. Earlier, he along with his father-JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda, underwent naturopathy treatment at a resort near Udupi last week.

On Monday, the chief minister is scheduled to campaign for the alliance candidates in Kundagol and Chincholi Assembly byelections.

The BJP had taken severe exception to Kumaraswamy taking rest at a resort, despite drought in the state.

People are migrating to other states in search of jobs. There is no drinking water and fodder supply in hundreds of villages. Instead of taking steps to provide relief to the affected people, the chief minister has been relaxing in the resort, the saffron party had complained.