Bengaluru: State Health Minister B Sreeramulu will no longer deal with matters related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the state. The Governor of Karnataka, Vajubhai Vala on Tuesday, March 24, transferred all the responsibilities of matters relating to the coronavirus (COVID-19) from minister Sreeramulu to state Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar.

In an order issued on Tuesday, the Governor said that he, as per the advice of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, is reallocating portfolios with immediate effect.

According to the order, minister Sreeramulu’s re-allocated portfolio is Health and Family Welfare excluding Medical Education and all matters relating to COVID-19. He has been given the additional portfolio of Backward Class Welfare Department.

Dr K Sudhakar has been given the portfolio of Medical Education and all matters relating to COVID-19 from the Health and Family Welfare Department.

According to a report by TNM, the COVID-19 related matters were transferred to Dr Sudhakar as there has been a competition between the two ministers for screen-time.

According to a BJP leader, TNM reports, Sreeramulu was not able to take the heat as the number of COVID-19 positive cases began rising in the state. As Sudhakar is a doctor, he understands health-related issues and is more qualified to tackle the situation in the state. Therefore, it was decided that he be out in charge of the state’s COVID-19 crisis, the leader added.

This development has reportedly not sat well with minister Sreeramulu, who feels he has been undercut by Dr Sudhakar.