Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka assembly, Siddaramaiah who took part in the Congress' padayatra in Ramanagara district on Sunday, demanding implementation of Mekedatu project across river Cauvery, has returned to the city post-lunch, due to fever, party sources said.
Videos of former Chief Minister speaking to Bengaluru Rural MP DK Suresh, former Minister RV Deshpande, and other Congress leaders about him having fever and wanting to take rest for some time, and later left in his official car, have surfaced.
Responding to a question regarding Siddaramaiah's fever, state Congress President D K Shivakumar said, "We should understand he is nearing 74-75 years old, he has stents. We had asked him not to climb the upward route today, so naturally there he has strain."
Though Congress sources have confirmed that Siddaramaiah has left for Bengaluru due to fever post-lunch and is likely to return to padayatra once he is fine, there is no official word yet from his office about the nature of the fever.
Meanwhile, Major and Medium Irrigation Minister Govind Karjol has tweeted expressing concern about Siddaramaiah developing fever.
"I'm concerned that the Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah, who took part in padayatra, has developed a fever. Mr Siddaramaiah please take rest, your health is important," Karjol tweeted.
Pointing to Siddaramaiah keeping away from padayatra due to fever, the ruling BJP in a tweet criticized the Congress and questioned whether its padayatra is to provide water for Bengaluru or to spread COVID in the city.
The Congress began its 10-day padayatra from Mekedatu to Bengaluru this morning, despite the government's COVID-19 restrictions and warnings.
Led by Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, the padayatra with the theme 'Namma Neeru Namma Hakku' (Our water, Our right) began at the Sangama, the confluence of Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers in Kanakapura in Ramanagara district, is scheduled to pass through Kanakapura, Ramanagara and Bidadi, before culminating at Basavanagudi in Bengaluru on January 19, spanning a distance of 139 km.
"Evidence Collected, Justice Soon": Women's Body On Karnataka Murder 2 Arrested For Online Post On Murder Of Karnataka Congress Leader's Daughter Karnataka Youth Congress Chief Trying To Protest Near PM's Convoy Route Detained Wary Of NASA Satellites, How Farmers Time Crop-Burning, Scientist Explains Pollution Chokes Delhi, New Restrictions In Place, Schools Go Online New Zealand MP Leads Traditional Dance, Rips Up Copy Of Bill In Parliament Princess Mikasa, Oldest Member Of Japan's royal family, Dies At 101 Australian Couple Returns Home From Work. Finds An Unexpected Guest 2024 BMW M340i Launched In India, Priced At Rs 74.9 Lakh Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.