British minister hails Karnataka's efforts to contain COVID- 19: Govt
Bengaluru: The effective implementation of lockdown to check the spread of COVID-19, supply of essential commodities to people and various other measures of the Karnataka government has won accolades of a British Minister.
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland lauded the efforts of the state government during a video conference Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa held with the Kannadigas living in England on Sunday regarding the measures taken to contain the virus in the state, an official release said.
Buckland too appeared for discussion with the Chief Minister and sought information about control of the disease in India, especially in Karnataka.
The Chief Minister replied to his queries and explained that effective enforcement of lockdown was possible with immense support from people, the statement read.
Economic activities would be started according to the guidelines of the Central government in a phased or graded manner in coming days, the CM was quoted as saying.
According to the statement, Buckland was amazed to learn that Covid-19 has not touched upon rural areas, so far.
Yediyurappa assured the Kannadigas residing abroad that they need not worry about their parents or elders in the state as their well being would be taken care of.
He said they can contact helpline numbers for medical and other needs.
The Chief Minister also said that the state government would consider the loan repayment issues of students studying abroad, after situation turns normal.
"Government of Karnataka would be in touch with Union Government regarding the rescue of Kannadigas stranded abroad only after international flight services resume," he told the Kannadigas.
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No need for guv: DMK leader Kanimozhi
Chennai (PTI): Senior DMK leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Friday reiterated her party’s opposition to the office of the governor amid uncertainty over government formation in Tamil Nadu after a fractured election mandate.
Speaking to PTI Videos, Kanimozhi emphasised that the DMK’s demand for the abolition of the governor’s post remained unchanged, especially as questions arise over constitutional propriety during the current political transition.
"Our position that we do not need a governor at all is something the DMK has never changed at any point in time," she said.
When asked about the governor’s actions following the election results—particularly the delay in inviting the leading party to form the government—Kanimozhi pointed to what she described as the "inherent friction" between the office of the governor and the political interests of the state.
She said the current situation "raises a lot of questions" and requires introspection regarding constitutional procedures.
Kanimozhi described the election results as lacking a "clear mandate", which she identified as the primary reason for the prevailing political uncertainty in the state.
"What the people decide is supreme," she said, adding that while the mandate was not decisive, it must be respected.
The Thoothukudi MP attributed the ongoing delays and "many confusions" to the absence of a decisive majority for any single party.
She firmly dismissed rumours about the DMK potentially supporting the AIADMK from outside to help stabilise the government.
She described such reports as mere "speculation" and "rumours".
"We can’t be responding to every rumour," she said, declining to comment on the AIADMK’s claims regarding its numbers to form the government.
The political situation in Tamil Nadu remains fluid as stakeholders await the governor’s next constitutional step in an Assembly where no party has secured a clear majority.
The DMK and AIADMK—both of which suffered significant losses to the TVK—are reportedly exploring tactical manoeuvres to navigate the hung Assembly.
The TVK, with 108 seats and the support of Congress’s five MLAs, is still short of the majority mark. The DMK and AIADMK secured 59 and 47 seats, respectively.
