Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday criticised Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, urging him to prioritise drought relief measures instead of politics and focus on addressing the hardships faced by farmers.
In a post on social media platform X, Vijayendra said that instead of merely writing to the Prime Minister seeking drought assistance, the state government should explain the measures it has taken so far to tackle the worsening drought situation.
Referring to the Chief Minister’s earlier statement on appointing a minister to assess drought conditions in Kalaburagi, Vijayendra alleged that the government lacked administrative focus.
He claimed the state did not have an Agriculture Minister, while other ministers were occupied with issues unrelated to drought management. He also alleged that district-level Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meetings had not been held, affecting coordination on relief measures.
Calling for immediate action, Vijayendra urged the government to announce ₹50,000 compensation for affected farmers and provide interim relief until the Centre sends a team to assess the drought situation.
He also demanded the immediate appointment of a minister to oversee the state’s drought response and monitor conditions on the ground.
“Put aside your real estate business and focus on the problems of the people. Farmers need immediate relief, not delays,” Vijayendra said, taking a swipe at the Chief Minister.
