AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge has voiced deep concern over the worsening flood situation in Nepal and the death toll of people who have fallen victim to the natural disaster. Kharge told the press at Kalaburagi airport that many people who had been to Nepal were caught up in the floods and that the effect was not limited to Karnataka.
Kharge said people from different parts of India had been affected by the disaster. He expressed his condolences to the families of those who died and said hundreds of people had been swept away in the floods.
Kharge Expresses Condolences Over Nepal Flood Deaths.
Kharge said several people travelling in Nepal had been stranded due to the floods. He said the crisis was not limited to Kannadigas and people from all over the country.
Kharge explained that the magnitude of the tragedy was great, with people being swept away from the ground and losing their lives. He expressed his condolences to all those who died in the disaster.
Kharge said this was about a coordinated response and help for those affected by the floods.
The letter to PM Modi on relief measures
Kharge also said he would write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue.
He said he would call for special compensation for the people who lost their lives in the disaster and said relief should include victims from Karnataka and other parts of the country.
The AICC president said the Centre should assess the number of people who have died and provide appropriate assistance to their families.
Kharge also emphasized that assistance should be extended to Nepal itself given the scale of the disaster.
Call for assistance to Nepal
Kharge also suggested that India’s response should not be limited to helping Indian citizens affected by the floods. He also asked the Centre to support Nepal as it suffers from the effects of the natural disaster.
The remarks come as efforts are underway to find people who were travelling in Nepal and possibly had been affected by flooding. Information about stranded Indians and getting in touch with those in affected areas is being collected, they said.
Kharge On DK Shivakumar's Delhi visit
Kharge was also asked about Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's visit to Delhi amid speculation over a possible change to some ministers in the Karnataka Cabinet.
Kharge said he was at Kalaburagi airport answering questions and that he was currently in Kalaburagi and had no information about the matter.
He made it clear that if there were any proposed changes in the state cabinet, the issue would have to come before him.
They Have To Come To Me
Kharge said that no matter where leaders travel, they would have to meet him about such changes. He said he would give the media information once the concerned leaders met him and the details became clear.
His comments come as speculation about a cabinet reshuffle or changes to some ministers in Karnataka grows.
Kharge, though, did not say if Cabinet changes were being considered. He claimed he did not have any information about the matter at that time.
Karnataka Politics And Delhi Meetings
DK Shivakumar’s visit to Delhi has created political interest in Karnataka, especially amid reports and speculation as to whether the state Cabinet will change.
With Kharge saying that any change would have to be brought before him, now attention is on whether senior Congress leaders will have more discussions.
Kharge has not confirmed any Cabinet reshuffle or named any ministers who might be affected. “We will be able to share information once we have clarity about what is going to happen,” he said.
Focus Remains On Nepal Flood Victims
While questions around Karnataka’s Cabinet dominated part of the conversation with reporters, Kharge’s chief concern was the Nepal flood tragedy.
He said the Centre should take steps to identify victims from Karnataka and other parts of India, provide special relief to affected families and extend assistance to Nepal.
Kharge's proposed communication with Prime Minister Modi will be on relief and support after the disaster.
As authorities collect information about Indians affected by the floods, families of those travelling in Nepal wait for information about their loved ones’ safety and whereabouts.
