Karnataka govt playing petty politics over Janaushadhi Kendras issue: MLC A H Vishwanath

Mangalore Today News Network

Mysuru, May 27, 2025: MLC A H Vishwanath said, the opposition to Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK) in Karnataka State government hospitals exhibits the dirty and petty mind of those concerned.

Addressing a media conference in Mysuru on Monday, Vishwanath said, “The Janaushadhi centres are being removed from government hospitals due to the display of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s photo. This is not a good development. There’s nothing wrong with having his picture there, because Modi is the Prime Minister of our country. If Rahul Gandhi becomes Prime Minister in future, his photo will also be put there. One should not do politics in matters that benefit the people”.

Skipping the NITI Aayog meet a crime

Vishwanath said, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah not attending the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog meeting, chaired by the PM, is a major offence.

“The CM not attending the NITI Aayog meeting does injustice to Karnataka. This will have a negative impact on the state. What was more important for the CM than the NITI Aayog meeting? Was the inauguration of Indira Canteens more important? There’s no use standing here and criticising the Centre. The CM should have gone to the meeting and spoken there. Cannot the CM, who takes a helicopter ride to attend weddings, go to the NITI Aayog meeting?” Vishwanath asked.

Sandal soap ambassador

Vishwanath suspected corruption in the appointment of Tamannaah Bhatia as brand ambassador for Mysore Sandal Soap and other products of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited (KSDL) for Rs 6.2 crore.

“Tamannaah may be getting Rs 2 crore, while the rest of the money may be for others. Isn’t actor Rashmika Mandanna a ’Milky Beauty’? Isn’t Aishwarya Rai available? Even members of the erstwhile royal family and MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar can be brand ambassadors for Mysore Sandal Soap. It was his own great-grand-uncle, Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, who started the production of sandalwood oil and Mysore Sandal Soap,” Vishwanath said.