'People are dying and you're spending on ads': HDK slams govt

Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy said he was shocked to see the state government spending crores of rupees on cover page advertisements in newspapers when people in the state were dying due to lack of oxygen, beds and medicines.

Bengaluru: Former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday lashed out at the state government for spending a huge amount of money on newspaper advertisements when the people were dying due to the lack of beds, hospitals and medicines. He cautioned the BS Yediyurappa-led government not to play with people's lives.

Kumaraswamy is being treated for COVID-19 at a private hospital in Bengaluru. In a video released from his hospital bed, the JD(S) leader expressed his anger against the state government for issuing an advertisement on the front page of newspapers. The advertisement, issued by the state government, thanked the Centre for allocating funds to upgrade the Metro services in Bengaluru.

"This government is yet to understand. Hospitals in the state are running out of beds, oxygen supply and medicines. People are dying. When such is the situation, does this government really needs to spend crores of rupees on advertising?" he asked.

He cautioned the government to mend its ways before it gets too late.