Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar on Monday challenged the BJP to join an all-party delegation to Delhi seeking drought relief from the Centre, saying its refusal would expose a gap between its demands for farmer compensation and its willingness to press the Union government for funds.
“If the opposition parties do not join the all-party delegation, the government will not neglect the interests of farmers. “What will you do by taking an all-party delegation to the Union government? It will add to the expenditure of the exchequer. Spending on flights and staying in star category hotels is an unnecessary expenditure. Could someone not go and speak to the Union government? We will not be part of the drought delegation. “Even regarding the Kasturirangan matter, I will seek time from the officials, the Union Ministers and the Prime Minister.
Karnataka is preparing to submit a final memorandum on the drought situation to the Centre in the first week of October, after the monsoon season ends on September 30.
Shivakumar said the state government would proceed with its efforts even if opposition parties stayed away. We will do whatever is necessary to protect the interests of farmers in the state,” he told reporters near his Sadashivanagar residence in Bengaluru before leaving for New Delhi. The BJP has said it will not join the proposed delegation. JD(S) leader and Union minister H D Kumaraswamy questioned the need for such a visit, while Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka said his party would participate in discussions on the Kasturirangan report but not in the drought delegation. Ashoka said, “We are ready to meet the Union Minister with respect to the Kasturirangan report. Shivakumar said BJP leaders should use their access to the Centre to seek assistance for farmers instead of only demanding compensation from the state government. “Those who are asking for ₹ 25,000 or ₹ 50,000 compensation for farmers should also speak to the central government and get compensation from them,” he said. Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said ground truthing was underway in several taluks and that the memorandum would detail the losses and compensation sought by the state. He also said an all-party meeting would be convened to discuss drought and the Kasturirangan report. I will seek time and do whatever is required to convey my representation to them,” Shivakumar said.
Kumaraswamy said on Sunday.
