Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers DV Sadananda Gowda on Wednesday stirred controversy after he seemingly blocked columnist Chakravarthy Sulibele on Twitter allegedly for slamming PM Narendra Modi for the delay in central relief for Karnataka flood victims.
Thank you!! pic.twitter.com/AcYviECDSj
— Chakravarty Sulibele (@astitvam) October 2, 2019
On Monday, the minister criticised those who had spoken out against the Central government's delay in releasing funds, and noted that a report had been prepared and submitted to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. He added that short-term and long-term funds would be released by the Centre soon. The Bengaluru North MP, however, faced flak on Twitter for this.
Sadananda Gowda then tweeted saying that some people were spreading false news and misleading the public. "In flood affected states, reports for immediate relief, mid-term and long term relief have been prepared by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman," he said.
To this, on Wednesday, Chakravarthy tweeted to the minister, "Lol! This man came now. @DVSadanandGowda I feel bad for those who believe that the people of North Karnataka are being misled. Do not forget that your ministership is the alms given by the people to you. Which of these is a solution to releasing funds for flood relief?"
Two hours later, the columnist tweeted a photo of the apparent block.
Lol! This man came now. @DVSadanandGowda ರೆ, ನೊಂದಿರುವ ಉತ್ತರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಜನರನ್ನು ದಾರಿ ತಪ್ಪಿಸುವವರು ಎನ್ನುವಷ್ಟು ಧಾರ್ಷ್ಟ್ಯ ತೋರಿರುವ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನಾಡಿಗೇ ಕನಿಕರವಿದೆ. ನಿಮ್ಮ ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಿರಿ ಜನರ ಭಿಕ್ಷೆ ಎನ್ನುವುದನ್ನು ಮರೆಯಬೇಡಿ. ಪ್ರವಾಹ ಕಳೆದು ಜನ ಬದುಕು ಕಟ್ಟಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಕಾಲಕ್ಕೂ ಬರದ ಪರಿಹಾರ ಯಾವ ಪುರುಷಾರ್ಥಕ್ಕೆ? https://t.co/vykCBoDDn5
— Chakravarty Sulibele (@astitvam) October 2, 2019
When Vishweshwar Bhat, the editor of Kannada daily Vishwawani, asked about the seeming block on Twitter, Sadananda Gowda claimed that he did not block Chakravarthy, but instead appeared to blame the global outage that Twitter faced on Wednesday.
Sadananda Gowda said, “Why should I block anyone, sir? It’s democracy everyone has right to express what they feel but there is a way to express. Just for info - Tweets were not working 3-4 hrs today during a day.”
Dear @DVSadanandGowda : It’s not fair on your part to block Soolibele. He has raised a pertinent point.
— Vishweshwar Bhat (@VishweshwarBhat) October 2, 2019
Moreover he has every right to question Karnataka BJP MPs. You should not forget that he was also instrumental in getting BJP candidates elected to Lok Sabha. @astitvam pic.twitter.com/YJCRFg1WV7
Later speaking to reporters, Sadananda Gowda said, “Someone is sitting and tweeting that the government is giving alms, and the ministers and 25 MPs from Karnataka are doing nothing (for flood relief). The people who are saying this want to build this country on words but they are wrong. Gandhi said those who spread fake news are anti-national and people like this are part of this brand. They are tweeting and provoking people but are not involved in practical solutions. This is hurtful."
This development comes at a time when the Centre is facing criticism from the Congress, JD(S) and farmer groups, as well as a simmering discord among BJP leaders and supporters, over the lack of flood relief.
MLA Basangouda Patil Yatnal was the first among the BJP leaders to raise his voice on the matter on Tuesday after he reacted to PM Modi promising central aid to Bihar, which is reeling under floods currently.
Speaking to reporters, he had said, “Even after the state suffered devastating floods, Modi didn’t tweet for us, but he did for the people of Bihar. People will ask if Modi tweeted for Bihar just because elections are approaching there. Is this what people get for voting the BJP? The party should take it seriously. Or else, it will lose its ground in south India.”