File photo of former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy. (PTI)
However, Congress party leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah, present in the meeting, did not agree to impose lockdown but called for stringent measures needed to be taken.
- CNN-News18 Bengaluru
- Last Updated:April 20, 2021, 19:43 IST
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An all-party meeting chaired by Karnataka Governor Vajubai Vala was on Tuesday held to discuss further measures to be taken by the BS Yediyurappa-led government to curtail the spread of Covid-19. JD(S) leader and former Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, who was present in the meeting, suggested the state government to impose complete lockdown.
“I had said last month that the government must impose lockdown. I am saying the same now. Impose lockdown immediately. Night curfew is not a solution. Also, restrict the labourers coming in from neighboring states like Maharashtra,” said Kumaraswamy.
However, Congress party leader and former chief minister Siddaramaiah, present in the meeting, did not agree to impose lockdown but called for stringent measures needed to be taken.
Calling the meeting “unconstitutional”, he said, “This meeting chaired by the Governor is unconstitutional. I am here only out of respect for him. Governor cannot take decisions based on this meeting. It is for the council of ministers to take a decision.”
“Information of the intensity of the infection and the second wave was available with the government as the technical advisory committee had informed in November last year. But so far, the government had not called an all party meeting. Government did not take their recommendations seriously. The committee had said that the second wave will begin in January-February this year. The government must have immediately prepared for it. If it had, we could have fought the second wave now in terms of unavailability of oxygen, ventilator, medicine, bed,” he added.
Chief Minister Yediyurappa is to take a final decision after discussing with the cabinet ministers.
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