Hits back at K.S. Eshwarappa in Legislative Council
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah lost his cool after allegations by Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council K.S. Eshwarappa on Thursday and held the Bharatiya Janata Party responsible for the continuation of doctors’ stir.
Mr. Siddaramaiah, who had earlier issued a reply in the House saying that the concerns of doctors would be addressed and the KPME bill would be tabled only after a consultation with the doctors’ body, lost his cool when Mr. Eshwarappa accused the State government and Health Minister of ‘murder’ of 25 people.
“They (doctors) seemed convinced after our meeting with them and were relenting. However you (BJP) are the people who have instigated them to continue their agitation. If at all anybody is responsible for the deaths, then it is you”, he said with a raised voice, countering Mr. Eshwarappa as the Legislative Council plunged into chaos.
Earlier Health Minister Ramesh Kumar urged the Chairman to not allow the adjournment notice on the issue of deaths due to the doctors’ strike saying that the State government had an open mind on the issue and there was no issue of prestige. He said while the government had promised to address the grievances of the doctors, it would not allow the doctors to dictate terms to the government.
Both Mr. Siddaramaiah and Mr. Ramesh Kumar appealed to the doctors’ fraternity to discontinue the stir and return to work. Both pointed out that the apprehensions of the doctors were uncalled for as the bill had not been tabled yet and already they had promised to address the contentious issues raised by the private doctors’ association.
Speaking on the adjournment, Mr. Eshwarappa blamed the government for further complicating the issue and said the lack of understanding between the Health Minister and the Chief Minister was the reason for the present crisis.
