BJP Kisan Morcha Accuses CM, Ministers and MLAs of Ignoring Drought Crisis

Bengaluru: Former MLA and BJP Kisan Morcha state president A.S. Patil Nadahalli has demanded an apology from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar over what he termed insensitive comments concerning farmers during the special Assembly session on the drought situation in Karnataka.

Addressing reporters at the BJP state office Jagannath Bhavan, Nadahalli alleged that the special session failed to adequately address the severity of the crisis and was conducted largely as a formality. He claimed that neither the chief minister nor most legislators demonstrated sufficient urgency in addressing the problems caused by inadequate rainfall.

Nadahalli said crops had already suffered extensive damage because of deficient monsoon rains, while subsequent rainfall had also remained insufficient. He questioned the absence of a clear discussion on guidance and support that should be extended to cultivators facing losses.

He said the Assembly could have adopted a coordinated strategy covering relief measures, water management and assistance to affected farming communities, but alleged that such an approach was missing from the proceedings.

According to Nadahalli, only a few legislators, including Aland MLA B.R. Patil, raised the drought issue with the seriousness it warranted. He said representatives should have set aside political differences and examined the situation across different parts of Karnataka.

He pointed out that the effects of the crisis vary across coastal Karnataka, the Malnad region, Mysuru-Karnataka and Kittur-Karnataka. He alleged that the Assembly did not sufficiently examine region-specific preventive measures or preparations required to deal with worsening water shortages.

Describing the situation as a severe form of drought, Nadahalli said its consequences extend beyond crop losses. He characterised it as a “hydrological drought”, citing the drying of lakes and declining groundwater levels.

He said the water shortage was also affecting livestock, with available water resources being stored and prioritised for cattle and other animals.

Nadahalli also questioned the government’s handling of financial and other assistance announced for farmers. Referring to the ₹2,500 assistance, he said the amount had been criticised as inadequate and alleged that the response from the Revenue Minister did not adequately acknowledge the hardships confronting farming families.

He also rejected references to rice distribution and electricity supply as sufficient relief measures. Nadahalli said the food assistance mentioned by the government was provided under a central scheme and argued that irregular electricity supply was creating additional difficulties for farmers.

According to him, agricultural power is sometimes supplied during late-night hours, compelling farmers to travel to their fields at unsafe times to operate irrigation equipment.

Nadahalli stressed that the wider population depends on farmers for its food supply and urged the government to recognise the difficulties being faced by the agricultural community.

He further alleged that Shivakumar’s speech during the Assembly session lacked an adequate expression of concern for cultivators and did not provide a clear assurance that the government would stand by them during the crisis.

Nadahalli also criticised the chief minister for focusing extensively on Bengaluru during the drought debate. He said the state capital belongs to Karnataka as a whole and argued that people from different parts of the state have an equal right to live and work there.

The BJP leader called for greater attention to rural distress and region-specific drought conditions, saying the government should respond with concrete measures rather than treating the issue as a routine legislative exercise.