Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy Retracts 'Gag Order' After Outrage

On May 23rd, 2018 Karnataka CM HD Kumaraswamy took the oath with the promise of solving the problems faced by farmers and people in the state. But since the start, Kumaraswamy's government has been facing flak for a series of controversies. The latest controversy to hit the Cong-JD(S) government is a gag order that was issued earlier in the day and retraced later.

The notification issued by the Karnataka government said, "Under the leadership of CM HD Kumaraswamy a meeting took place on 21/7/2018 to determine a separate room for media interactions. This decision has been taken as a result of it. Media interactions will take place at room no. 9 in the ground floor of Vidhan Soudha. The chief secretary selected the room based on availability.  The CM has ordered room no.9 in the ground floor to be used for media interactions by ministers."

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The order implies that journalists cannot enter the third floor at Vidhan Soudha. And also they cannot question ministers on camera in the corridors of Vidhan. After the notification creates outrage, Kumaraswamy issued a clarification on the order saying that both 333 on the third floor and no.9 on the ground floor will be used by the media.

Why Restrict? Why Retract?

Many Karnataka cabinet ministers have earlier run into trouble for making controversial comments. It has also hurt the image of the government. Reports say that this order by Kumaraswamy is to not give any room for his ministers to run into controversies.

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Earlier, former primary and secondary education minister and BSP MLA N Mahesh too ran into a controversy for making anti-JD(S)  statements. The minister quit the cabinet on October 11 claiming that he couldn't focus on the development of his constituency.

The BJP slammed the move by the Karnataka government, "The chief minister must quit the coalition with Congress instead of making more controversies. Avoiding the media is not a solution to prevent his ministers from getting into controversies."- Prakash, Spokesperson, BJP

With the benefits of government schemes like farm loan waiver yet to reach farmers, the JD(S) definitely wants to increase its popularity among the electorate. But avoiding the media or restricting its presence will not help it attain its objective anyway.