BJP, JD(S) Opt Out of Karnataka’s All-Party Drought Relief Delegation

Bengaluru, Sept 28 : Karnataka’s plan to lead an all-party delegation to the Centre seeking drought relief has hit a political roadblock, with the BJP and JD(S) deciding not to join the proposed delegation ahead of the Centre’s assessment of the state’s drought situation.

The decision followed statements by JD(S) leader and Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka that their parties would stay away from the delegation proposed by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.

The state government had announced the plan at the conclusion of the special session of the Karnataka Legislature, with Shivakumar saying the delegation would seek a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to press Karnataka’s case for drought assistance.

Kumaraswamy questioned the need for an all-party delegation, arguing that state representatives could directly approach the Union government. He also raised concerns over expenditure on air travel and hotel accommodation.

“I would not describe Karnataka as bankrupt, but the Congress government has depleted the state’s finances,” Kumaraswamy said.

The BJP also rejected the proposal. Ashoka said the party was willing to meet the Union Minister over the Kasturirangan Committee report but would not be part of the drought delegation. He also alleged that the Congress government lacked commitment towards drought-hit farmers.

The political disagreement comes as Karnataka awaits an on-ground assessment by Central teams, which will be crucial to the state’s demand for drought assistance.

In its first memorandum to the Centre, Karnataka estimated drought-related losses at around Rs 18,000 crore and sought approximately Rs 3,800 crore in financial assistance.

A Union government team is scheduled to arrive in Karnataka on October 3, followed by three Inter-Ministerial Central Teams from October 4 to assess crop damage and geographical conditions in drought-affected areas.

One team will cover Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Davangere and Vijayanagara; the second will visit Hassan, Mysuru and Chamarajanagar, with Mandya likely to be added; and the third will cover Yadgir, Bagalkote, Raichur and Koppal.

The teams are scheduled to discuss their findings with Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on October 7.

The scale of the drought is reflected in the state’s classification, with 177 of Karnataka’s 240 taluks already declared drought-affected and ground-truthing underway in another 50 taluks.

With the BJP and JD(S) opting out, the state government’s effort to present a united political front before the Centre on drought relief has suffered a setback ahead of the Central assessment.