Bengaluru, 20 June

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for its "holistic" approach in addressing health issues faced by the public. He was speaking after inaugurating the Adichunchanagiri University (ACU) Bengaluru campus.

"Our leader Modi had said several years ago in Gujarat that poverty's biggest issue is illness, and the cost of treatment; the administration has to provide for the treatment of illness for the poor. I can say with pride today that Modi, when he became the Prime Minister, has fulfilled it by providing 60 crore poor with free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh," Shah said.

The Modi government has addressed the problem of health with a holistic view, with initiatives like building toilets in about 12 crore houses, through Fit India movement, Yoga Day, Mission Indradanush and Poshan Abhiyaan, Ayushman Bharat, and Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, he added.

Lauding the Adichunchanagiri Mutt and its institutions for their work in improving the health of people in villages by establishing wellness centres, providing free treatment for the poor, and imparting quality education to students, Shah praised the Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji for keeping up with the 1,800-year-old traditions of the Mutt.

Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy and Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V Somanna, and Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji of the Adichunchanagiri Math were present.

‘Urged us to fight corrupt Cong’

BJP President BY Vijayendra said that Shah suggested the State unit to intensify the fight against the "corrupt" Congress government.

Vijayendra said that ahead of the Assembly session, BJP will hold discussions with JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy and legislators regarding having a committee for proper coordination between the two parties.

Keeping the Zilla and Taluk Panchayat polls in mind and at a time when the party has to fight against the government on the streets, the BJP has to resolve internal issues and stand united, and efforts are on in this direction, he added.

HDK will never be CM: DKS

Deputy ChiefMinister DK Shivakumar hit out at Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy saying he will neither form a government in the State.  Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, he said, "Kumaraswamy had called on his supporters to get ready for a BJP-JDS government. I had then replied to him stating that I will present him a suit if he won the election and formed the government in 2028." He was replying to a reporter who Kumaraswamy's statement that he wasn't that poor to take clothes from him.