Bengaluru, July 22 — Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Wednesday alleged that more than 2,800 farmers have died by suicide since the Congress government came to power in Karnataka and accused the state government of failing to respond adequately to the worsening drought situation.
He demanded that the state government immediately declare drought across the state and provide compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre to affected farmers.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Ashoka said the state was witnessing one of its worst agrarian crises, with drought conditions intensifying across several districts, forcing migration in Kalyana Karnataka and pushing farmers into distress.
"Despite the severe drought ravaging the state, Congress leaders, Ministers and MLAs have gone to Delhi to engage in political manoeuvring. This is not Karnataka's drought -- it is the misfortune written on the foreheads of the people and farmers," he added.
Ashoka claimed that since the Congress assumed office, nearly 2,800 farmers have died by suicide.
"Whenever Congress comes to power, it becomes a curse on farmers," he alleged.
Drawing a comparison with the previous BJP government, Ashoka said the administration had remained at the forefront during droughts and floods, providing proactive relief measures and higher compensation to affected farmers.
Targeting Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, the Opposition leader added, "The Chief Minister is telling farmers not to cultivate crops. If farmers are not supposed to grow crops, what should they do? Why not declare a universal holiday for farmers?"
The BJP leader also accused the Congress government of engaging in "drama" over the implementation of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) scheme, saying that the party had initially opposed the initiative and was now claiming ownership of it.
He also alleged that while Cauvery water was not being made available for use within Karnataka, it continued to flow uninterrupted to Tamil Nadu.
Referring to his recent visit to Malavalli, Ashoka said he had witnessed vast stretches of dried sugarcane fields and widespread agricultural losses.
He noted that drought had already been declared in 157 taluks and claimed that nearly 80 per cent of agricultural activity had come to a standstill.
"There is no fodder for livestock, creating severe hardship. Farmers are being forced to sell their cattle to butchers," he alleged.
Ashoka criticised the state government's approach to seeking central assistance, noting that the Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara had sought reports from Deputy Commissioners while simultaneously demanding Rs 10,000 crore from the Centre.
"How can grants be released without studying the ground situation and submitting a report to the Centre?" the Opposition leader asked, urging the state government to immediately prepare and submit a comprehensive report to secure relief funds.
He also called upon the state government to utilise funds available under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to provide immediate assistance and undertake comprehensive drought relief measures.
Citing rainfall data, Ashoka said that Karnataka recorded a rainfall deficit of 42 per cent in June.
He claimed that the deficit stood at 43 per cent in the Malenadu region, 35 per cent in the coastal belt, 33 per cent in North Interior Karnataka and 31 per cent in South Interior Karnataka.
The Opposition leader also alleged that 31 farmers had died by suicide over the past two months alone, including six in Vijayapura, five in Mysuru, four in Haveri and three in Chikkamagaluru, among others.
He reiterated his demand that the state government immediately declare drought across Karnataka and announce a compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre for affected farmers.