Vijayapura: Accusing the BJP government led by Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa of not extending any help to Covid victims of the State, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President D. K. Shivakumar said that though the BJP government announced some compensation after the Congress exerted pressure, the announcement has not been materialized yet.
Addressing press persons in Sindgi town during his maiden visit to the district on Saturday July 17, he said that the State Congress has launched a drive to tour the State not only to hear the grievances of people, mainly Dalits and oppressed classes but also to instil confidence among them.
“We all know that the Covid pandemic has devastated the lives of people mainly of Dalit community, Minorities and people working in the unorganized sector. Many people have lost their lives for the want of oxygen or beds in the hospital after they contracted with Covid. These poor people have received no help or financial aid from the BJP government. The Congress is holding a state-wide tour to hear their grievances to help them in all possible manner”, he said.
Mentioning about the plight of Dalits, he said that on the one hand they have suffered extensively because of the Covid, on the other, they still are facing long pending issues such as regularization of their cultivable land etc.
Later participating in an interaction session with Dalits, he again raised the issue of Covid and its effect on people. He said that over 1 crore people of the State have suffered because of the pandemic.
Praising Former Minister and Babaleshwar Congress MLA, M. B. Patil for offering affordable medical facilities to the Covid patients in his BLDE hospital, Shivakumar said that many other Congress leaders have also offered similar help.
He said that during the BJP government, neither dalits nor farmers are getting justice.
On the occasion, he allowed a few Dalit leaders to share their views. Dalit leaders alleged that the BJP government has stopped scholarship of Dalit students and no financial aid is given to them for higher education.
They announced that the Dalits are with the Congress if the party holds any event for helping the community.
A section of Dalit leaders demanded the Centre to accord National Award to Dalit writer, Siddalingaiah who passed away recently.