Karnataka polls: Why Siddaramaiah can't stop 'politicising' Op Kaveri

Even as India launched 'Operation Kaveri' to bring back Indians stranded in crisis-hit Sudan, senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah took a veiled dig at External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar saying when he raised his voice seeking help from the government, the foreign minister accused him of doing politics.

Taking to Twitter, the former Karnataka Chief Minister said, "When I raised my voice on behalf of the helpless lives waiting for help without food and water, the foreign minister of the country accused me of politicising the situation of Indians in violence-hit Sudan."

"But, people from all over the country backed me and raised their voices to remind the Central government about its duty," he claimed, adding, "Nothing is beyond humanity, politics too."

On April 24, India launched Operation Kaveri to bring back Indians stranded in Sudan where Army and paramilitary groups are fighting. A transit facility in Jeddah will host the Indians being evacuated for the time being before they arrive in India. Indian Navy has also joined the operation with INS Teg reaching Sudan port on Tuesday with additional officials and essential relief materials.

At least 3,000 Indians, including 31 Hakki Pikki tribals of Karnataka, are stuck in the war-hit nation with little food and water. In poll-bound Karnataka, a political row erupted after Congress hit out at the Centre alleging "delay" in rescuing the stranded Indians.

Siddaramaiah asked the government to take immediate steps to rescue the stranded Hakki Pikkis while party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala made scathing remarks, both targeting the foreign minister. Jaishankar snubbed Siddaramaiah for 'doing politics' when several lives were at stake.

"Simply appalled at your tweet! There are lives at stake; don't do politics. Since the fighting started on April 14th, the Embassy of India in Khartoum has been continuously in touch with most Indian Nationals and PIOs in Sudan. Plans regarding them have to take into account a very complicated security scenario. The Embassy is in constant touch with the Ministry in that regard. It is grossly irresponsible of you to politicize their situation. No electoral goal justifies endangering Indians abroad," Jaishankar tweeted.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting and asked the officials to prepare for contingency evacuation, following which Operation Kaveri was launched. The operation is going on successfully with scores of Indians already being evacuated from Sudan.

However, with Assembly elections just a fortnight away, Siddaramaiah, who is a front-runner for the CM post, is apparently looking for taking advantage of the situation by still raking up the issue. As it seems Jaishankar's retort has hurt his ego and the CM aspirant continues to take dig at the foreign minister in a bid to keep the controversy alive with an eye on the polls.