Opposition should refrain from doing politics amid COVID-19 spread: H D Deve Gowda

Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda said that opposition parties should refrain from doing politics amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He also welcomde the Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa decision to announce one-week lockdown in Bengaluru.

Bengaluru: Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader H D Deve Gowda on Monday said the opposition political parties must not do "politics" and focus on securing the health of the people amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"Any political party targeting the state government over corruption is not right at this point of time. We need to focus on securing the health of the people. We can discuss the corruption matters in the upcoming session of the state assembly. Our main focus should be on health," he said.

The statement from Gowda came after some of the Opposition leaders demanded an investigation into alleged misappropriation of public money worth Rs 3,000 crore in the procurement of COVID-19 equipment, a charge which the ruling BJP refuted.

Gowda also welcomed the state government's decision to announce one-week lockdown in Bengaluru starting from July 14.

"The decision taken by (Karnataka Chief Minister) BS Yediyurappa government is well and good," he added.

Earlier, the former prime minister in a statement appealed to people of the state and the entire country to wear masks while venturing out, maintain social distancing, clean hands with sanitizer regularly, and to come out only if there is necessary work.

(ANI Report)