Covid probe: Why appoint biased judges, asks former Karnataka minister Sudhakar

Former Karnataka health and medical education minister Dr K Sudhakar on Monday described as "political vendetta" the Congress government‘s decision to order an inquiry into alleged irregularities in Covid-19 management when the BJP was in power.

The Congress government has formed an inquiry commission headed by retired Justice John Michael Cunha to probe allege irregularities in the procurement of Covid-19 drugs, equipment and other aspects.

"While I welcome the probe, I'll say that it is politically-motivated," Sudhakar told reporters.

Sudhakar said the government has appointed a retired judge who will submit a report in line with what the Congress wants. "Why are you choosing biased judges? They (Congress) want to obtain a report by the time Lok Sabha polls arrive and one FIR will be filed to show that the BJP government was corrupt," he said.

According to Sudhakar, the BJP government was "successful" in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. "Covid was an extraordinary situation. The entire world faced it for the first time. For two years, we faced the situation with honesty. The situation was such as the first PPE kit had to come from China," he said.

"It was a war-like situation and we worked true to our conscience," Sudhakar said, accusing the Congress government of political vendetta.

Sudhakar pointed out that there was a Covid-19 task force comprising five ministers overseen by the chief minister. "If you (Congress) have doubts, then why are you continuing with the same set of officers who worked on managing Covid-19?" he said.

When asked about the death of patients due to oxygen shortage in Chamarajanagar, Sudhakar said: "Doctors died during treatment of Covid-19 patients. Nurses also died. Will you blame the health minister or government? It is utter nonsense."

Sudhakar said he has nothing to be afraid of. "I have done nothing wrong. Let them get an inquiry done through the Supreme Court," he said.

No vendetta, says DKS

Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said BJP leaders need not fear inquiries ordered by the Congress government.

"There's no vendetta here. Scam during Covid-19, deaths due to oxygen shortage, PSI recruitment...if BJP leaders are honest, then why do they fear?" Shivakumar said.

"Thirty six people died due to oxygen shortage and nobody was held responsible. Shouldn't it be investigated?," he asked.