Cracks in Karnataka BJP govt: Health minister blocks beds in 3 Bengaluru hospitals for home district patients
Bengaluru MLAs including BJP leaders expressed displeasure over Health Minister K Sudhakar's action of blocking 15% beds at Bengaluru's private hospitals. Sudhakar who represents the Chikkaballapur Assembly segment defended his move saying as a Health Minister he has the right to save his Assembly voters, his district residents and hence blocked beds.
FollowThe surging Covid cases has not only shaken the ruling BJP government in Karnataka but now is also paving way for differences. As Bengaluru's three private hospitals blocked 15% beds for Health Minister K Sudhakar, Bengaluru MLAs including BJP legislators have raised an objection.
BJP MLA SR Vishwanath from Yelahanka, Congress MLA Byrathi Suresh, Krishna Byre Gowda and some others had already discussed the matter with CM and revenue minister R Ashoka.
While inspecting a Covid care center on Saturday, Ashoka reacted to the development and said that Bengaluru itself is battling Covid surge and he will not recommend such a move by the Health Minister.
While Ashoka was soft in expressing his views, MP Renukacharya, CM BS Yediyurappa's political secretary lashed out at Sudhakar and said, "Let him make such an arrangement in Chikkaballapura. Earlier also I have warned the minister against making an irresponsible statement and not only Sudhakar I also lashed at minister CP Yogeshwar telling him don't just sit in Delhi and play games. For me public service is important. If people vote we become MLA and they can become ministers. They have become ministers not to enjoy. If he can't serve people, why should he become a health minister." Renukacharya told Asianet Newsable.
Echoing similar sentiments, former Deputy CM and Bengaluru legislator Ramalinga Reddy said, Sudhakar should remember that is not just a Health Minister for Chikkaballapur, "He is the minister for the entire Karnataka. CM should intervene, including Chikkaballapur everyone should get the bed." Reddy said to Asianet Newsable.
Byrathi Suresh, Hebbala MLA said his phone does not stop ringing and patients and relatives keep calling him seeking help for arranging beds but he said he is also helpless.
"At this moment, it is painful to know that the minister has blocked beds at Aster Hospital. Reserving bed at this point in time is nothing but an act of murder. I understand that he wants to help his Assembly people but here in Bengaluru the situation is worse and 15% beds could be helpful in saving Bengalureans' lives."
Earlier, minister Sudhakar justified his action of reserving 100 beds exclusively for patients coming from his Assembly Chikkaballapura to Bengaluru's Aster Hospital at Hebbal.
As per the government order dated 30/4/2021, private hospitals namely Aster CMI, Columbia Asia and Baptist Hospital in Hebbal have been instructed to reserve 15% beds to Chikkaballapura patients for better treatment. Minister also had appointed nodal officers to oversee the bed arrangements to his Assembly segment voters.
NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitize, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
