Karnataka Facing Financial Emergency, Alleges BJP State President Vijayendra Yediyurappa

VIJAYAPURA, OCT 9 : BJP Karnataka president Vijayendra Yediyurappa on Friday alleged that the state was facing a financial emergency, accusing the Congress government of neglecting drought-hit farmers, failing to fulfil its welfare promises and allowing the state's financial condition to deteriorate.

Speaking to reporters here, Vijayendra said farmers were struggling with drought, inadequate compensation and mounting financial pressure. He alleged that cooperative banks were issuing notices to farmers seeking repayment of agricultural loans despite Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's assurance that there would be no coercive recovery.

"The state government has failed to come to the rescue of farmers," Vijayendra said, alleging that the administration was more focused on townships and real estate projects than addressing the agrarian crisis.

Demanding immediate relief, he sought compensation of Rs 50,000 per hectare for drought-hit farmers, a farm loan waiver of up to Rs 5 lakh and incentives for dairy farming. He also urged the government to ensure eight hours of three-phase electricity supply daily for agricultural purposes.

Citing Maharashtra as an example, Vijayendra said Karnataka should consider a similar relief package for farmers, including a loan waiver of up to Rs 2 lakh, to help distressed farming families regain financial stability. He accused the government of providing inadequate relief despite repeated demands by the BJP.

Vijayendra further claimed that Karnataka's outstanding debt had reached Rs 9.5 lakh crore and alleged that the government was struggling to meet its welfare commitments, fund public transport operations and fulfil other essential obligations.

He said around 2.5 lakh posts in government departments remained vacant, adversely affecting employment opportunities for young people. He also alleged that delays in welfare benefits and shortages of funds had affected beneficiaries and the delivery of public services.

Accusing the Congress government of failing to maintain law and order, the BJP leader cited alleged increases in drug-related activities and atrocities against Dalits.

Vijayendra also opposed the alleged proposal to release two thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water from the Narayanpur reservoir to Telangana, arguing that Karnataka itself was facing water scarcity. He alleged that the move was politically motivated and insisted that the state's own water requirements should be prioritised.

Rejecting allegations that the BJP was attempting to destabilise the government, Vijayendra said the opposition had no need to bring down the Congress government, claiming that the people would hold it accountable for its performance.

He also criticised the registration of first information reports (FIRs) against BJP workers in connection with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He said the party would not be intimidated and demanded that the exercise be conducted fairly.

Vijayendra made these allegations during his interaction with reporters in Vijayapura on Friday. The claims against the state government were made by the BJP leader and could not be independently verified from the information available in the report.