Bengaluru, Apr 5: Opening of Karnataka's borders to Kerala at this point in time will be like "embracing death," chief minister B S Yediyurappa said on Saturday making clear his government's stand not opening the state border.
The chief minister repeatedly said that for his government interest of the people of the state was supreme.
Yediyurappa made his stand clear in a letter to former prime minister and JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda.
Gowda had recently written to the chief minister on March 31 seeking relaxation of the border restrictions on "humanitarian" grounds.
He had also written to Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressing his anguish against Karnataka authorities for imposing restriction and promising to raise the matter with prime minister Narendra Modi.
Stating the decision to close the border was not sudden, Yediyurappa said, it was a conscious decision after analysing the health situation in the area following the spread of COVID-19.
The chief minister cited the Indian Medical Association, Mangaluru branch data regarding the spread of Covid-19 in Kasargod of Kerala and surrounding areas which was alarming.
Noting that the region has nearly 106 positive coronaviruscases, he said, "this is the region with most number of infections in the country."
If this restriction is removed, it puts the health of the people of Karnataka in to risk and create a situation of "embracing death", so we will not be able to open the border, Yediyurappa said.
He also clarified that there was no prejudice behind his government's decision, and the interest of the people of the state was of utmost importance.
"...There is also no political maliciousness. We want to have good and brotherly relationship with neighbouring states," he said, adding that opening the border will open a pandora's box that will be disastrous for the state.
Yediyurappa also thanked opposition parties for their support to his government in its fight against COVID-19.
Comments
Use our money for corona patients. Dont waste tax payers money.
For Ayodhya pilgrims, Spend from your BJP looted money.
Our ruling govt is only interested in RAM Mandir and spending crores of rupees for the temple. Why the other community is not demanding fund from the GOVT?
Not bothered about the development of the country as currently we have no idea how to tackle the corona viurs. Ministers are keen on builing Guest house for pilgrims, Statue of RAM etc etc.
Please concentrate on how to minimise the Virus issue in KARNAKATA like other Gulf countries.
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