Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], May 30 (ANI): Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday launched a fierce attack on the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in Karnataka, accusing it of mishandling the rain situation and questioning him as to why preventative measures were not taken before the downpours.

Kumaraswamy slammed the state government and said it was desperate to bring 'blood and tears' to the public's eyes as relentless torrential rains disrupt normal lives.

'Relentless torrential rains across the state, including the coastal belt, have severely disrupted daily life. People are left in tears. Instead of acting responsibly and wiping their tears, the Karnataka government seems desperate to bring blood and tears to their eyes! Homes, roads, and bridges have collapsed. Cities, towns, and villages are waterlogged, and people are in deep distress. What steps has the government taken to protect the lives of people who are already on the brink?' posted Kumaraswamy on X.

'What is the point if, after lives are lost to the floods, the Chief Minister merely instructs ministers to go visit? As the saying goes, What's the use of bolting the door after the fort has been looted? What preparations were made before the rains began? Is this what people-centric governance looks like? Is this what it means to walk the talk?' questioned Kumaraswamy on X.

'The Congress government shows no concern about the torrential downpour in the coastal region, but exhibits excessive interest in coastal murders, 'not to prevent them, but to extract political gain' even from those tragedies! CM Siddaramaiah, you have been in power for two years. You have spent this time blaming other parties. Since you assumed office, how many murders have taken place in the coastal region? Why haven't they been curbed? Didn't one community vote for your party 100%?' his post said.

'You have failed to protect them, yet you continue to spew venom against other communities. You have turned a once peaceful garden of communities into a garden of venomous snakes. Siddaramaiah..., enough of your government's excuses. Visit the coastal region immediately. Give strength and hope to the people shattered by both floods and murders,' he added.

His post further said, 'While the floods may be nature's fury, the murder spree is a political disaster fueled by your party. As Chief Minister, this is your immediate responsibility.'

Meanwhile, as heavy rains lashed parts of Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has assured citizens that the government is fully prepared to address any emergencies.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Shivakumar outlined the proactive measures being taken by the state to manage the situation and told the media that all deputy commissioners have been asked to take the required action, and state ministers will be at their headquarters to look over the situation.

'We have called all the deputy commissioners and asked them to take action. For emergency cases, we have authorised all the deputy commissioners and the officers to be alert. After the meeting, all the Ministers must be in their headquarters and help the people because we can't avoid nature...,' he said.

The IMD said that rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds are likely over northwest India for the next 4-5 days due to the western disturbance.

It also predicted that heavy rainfall would likely continue over Kerala, coastal Karnataka, and ghat areas of Tamil Nadu, with isolated extremely heavy falls over Kerala on May 30 and reduced thereafter. (ANI)