Describing the recent floods in Karnataka as unprecedented, the former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) President, H.D. Deve Gowda, has urged Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, to undertake an aerial survey of the affected areas at the earliest.
“The people of Karnataka are citizens of India first and as such deserve your urgent attention. While a detailed study of the loss of lives and damage to crops and property can be carried out in due course, it is my request that your good self undertake an aerial surveillance of the worst affected districts before the flood waters recede, to access for yourself the extensive damage caused”, he said.
In his letter to Dr. Singh, Mr. Gowda complained that the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the State was turning a nelson’s eye to the plight of the affected people. He also said a visit by Dr. Singh would instil a ray of hope among them.
Alleging that even as the State lay in “shambles”, the BJP leadership was busy getting its Ministers trained by Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi and senior BJP leader, Arun Jaitley, Mr. Gowda said, “there cannot be a more glaring example of criminal negligence and sheer indifference on the part of any State Government.”
