Karnataka CM Yediyurappa clarifies on issue of opening borders to Kerala
Bengaluru: 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 coronavirus cases, 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.
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IPL: Dubey, Payne named replacements for Akash Deep and Edwards
New Delhi (PTI): Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad have named Saurabh Dubey and David Payne as replacements for the injured Akash Deep and Jack Edwards respectively ahead of the IPL beginning on March 28.
India pacer Akash Deep has been ruled out of the tournament with a lumbar stress injury. He will remain under the supervision of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
"Saurabh, a left-arm pacer, will replace Akash at KKR. He will join KKR for Rs 30 lakh," an IPL media advisory stated.
Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings have roped in Australian pacer Spencer Johnson in place of his injured compatriot Nathan Ellis.
Johnson, who played for Gujarat Titans and KKR previously, will join CSK for Rs 1.5 crore. The pacer has so far played 8 T20Is and 5 T20Is for Australia.
Saurabh, the 28-year-old Vidarbha bowler, who is yet to make his IPL debut, was previously part of the SRH squad.
England pacer Payne has been signed by SRH as a replacement for Jack Edwards, who has been sidelined with a foot injury.
Edwards had earlier been picked up by SRH for Rs 3 crore following a bidding contest with Chennai Super Kings.
Payne, who has featured in one ODI for England and played 233 T20 matches, claiming 304 wickets, will join SRH for Rs 1.5 crore.
