Karnataka BJP and JD(S) reject proposed drought-relief delegation
Karnataka’s BJP and JD(S) leaders have declined to join a proposed all-party delegation to seek Central drought assistance. H.D. Kumaraswamy questioned the cost of the delegation, while R. Ashok said the Opposition would not participate. A Central assessment team is due to visit affected areas from October 4.
The Opposition BJP and JD(S) in Karnataka have refused to join a proposed all-party delegation that the State government plans to take to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek drought relief. Union Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy and Legislative Assembly Leader of Opposition R.
Ashok announced their positions on Sunday. Kumaraswamy said State representatives could approach the Centre independently and questioned the expense of sending an all-party delegation. He referred to the potential cost of flights and accommodation, saying the proposed visit would add unnecessary expenditure.
Ashok also said he would not join the drought delegation. He said the Opposition was prepared to meet the Union Minister about the Kasturirangan report but would not participate in a delegation seeking drought funds. He accused the Congress government of lacking commitment to drought-hit farmers.
Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had announced the delegation after a four-day special session on drought, farm distress and the Kasturirangan Committee report. He is scheduled to travel to Delhi on Monday for a Congress Working Committee meeting on Tuesday.
Karnataka’s first memorandum to the Centre estimated drought-related losses at about ₹18,000 crore and sought approximately ₹3,800 crore in assistance. A Union government team is due to arrive on October 3, visit affected areas for three days from October 4 and meet Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on October 7. The State has declared 177 of its 240 taluks drought-affected, while assessments are under way in another 50.
Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara has said more than 200 taluks could eventually be declared affected, with losses estimated at about ₹40,000 crore.
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