Nirmala Sitharaman Receives Backlash on Social Media for Losing Cool at Karnataka Minister for 'Minute-to-Minute' Kodagu Itinerary

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday visited flood-affected areas in Kodagu district of Karnataka to review the situation. However, the minister was not impressed by the "minute-to-minute" itinerary and her displeasure was caught on camera. Video recorded ahead of a press conference held in Madikeri shows the central minister losing her cool at Karnataka Minister Sa Ra Mahesh. However, social media was upset by Sitharaman's reaction asking if this was the behaviour expected out of a Union Minister.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara, Supreme Court advocate and Congress spokesperson Brijesh Kalappa, former IPS officer Sanjiv Bhatt, National Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha took to Twitter calling out the minister for her behaviour. Karnataka Floods: PM Modi Speaks to CM HD Kumaraswamy, Assures All-Possible Help From Centre

Here is what Brijesh Kalappa tweeted:

In the video, Sitharaman can be heard saying, "I am following a minute-to-minute programme, minister. If officials are important, my parivaar (family) is also important. Central minister follows the minister in-charge here. Unbelievable." When Sitharaman was told that the microphones were recording her, she said, "Let it get recorded." The entire episode took place at the district commissioner's office where various government officials and media were present. Internet users also tried to lecture the minister on socially accepted behaviour.

Here is the video:

Sitharaman, Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, also says that she does not want any officials who are assigned at fields for rehabilitation work to be present stating that none of that should be affected.

Sitharaman donated Rs one crore from the Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) for flood-hit Kodagu and assured the locals that the Army would help in rebuilding roads.

She told reporters in Madikeri, "I can assure you that the task force of the Indian Army's Border Roads Organisation (BRO) will visit as consultants and advise the administration on how to build roads in hilly areas."

Following her visit, the Karnataka district in-charge minister stated that Sitharaman's comments were a reaction to the state's demand for funds from the centre to Kodagu.

He told a local TV channel, "She would have known the pain had she contested election by standing with the electorate, going to every house, meeting voters and asked their problems. She has been elected to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka." He said that the state had requested monetary aid for Kodagu like the centre gave to Kerala. The torrential rains that lashed the district last week claimed at least 17 lives and left 5,000 people homeless. Earlier this month, Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy said that 11,000 houses have been washed away in the flash floods.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2018 12:51 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).