Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President B.Y. Vijayendra on Tuesday, 4 August demanded that the state's Congress government immediately release a ₹10,000 crore special relief package for farmers reeling under severe drought across more than 28 districts — without waiting for financial assistance from the Centre. Vijayendra made the demand after visiting drought-hit villages in Tumakuru district, where he addressed the media on the worsening agrarian crisis.

Scale of the Drought

According to Vijayendra, inadequate rainfall has left farmers across over 28 Karnataka districts in acute distress. In Tumakuru district alone, he said, almost all 10 taluks had received deficient rainfall, and he urged the government to formally declare all of them drought-affected.

Farmers cultivating coconut, ragi, fruits, and vegetables have suffered heavy losses, he said. In several areas, sowing has not commenced due to the absence of rain, while crops that were sown earlier have failed to germinate.

What the BJP Is Demanding

Vijayendra outlined a set of immediate demands for the state government. These include an immediate ₹10,000 crore special drought relief package, the state bearing farmers' crop insurance premiums, and an allocation of at least ₹50 lakh per taluk in Tumakuru to facilitate insurance premium payments.

He also called for an additional ₹2 crore per taluk to strengthen drinking water arrangements, arguing that the ₹1 crore per Assembly constituency already announced was inadequate. On power supply, he demanded a continuous seven-hour three-phase electricity supply daily to help farmers protect horticultural crops such as coconut and arecanut.

Water Crisis and Groundwater Stress

Vijayendra flagged a deepening water crisis, noting that levels in major reservoirs — including the Hemavathi — had declined significantly, while lakes and tanks were drying up. Rural areas, he said, were facing acute shortages of drinking water for both people and livestock.

He added that groundwater levels had fallen sharply, leaving farmers dependent on borewells further exposed due to erratic electricity supply.

Political Accusations and Governance Critique

The BJP leader accused the Congress government of neglecting farmers while remaining preoccupied with internal political developments. He alleged that differences between Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had affected governance in the state.

Vijayendra also criticised the recent cabinet expansion, claiming that several districts and backward communities had not received adequate representation, and that political calculations had taken precedence over balanced regional development.

Responding to remarks by Minister Priyank Kharge on the civil police recruitment question paper leak case, Vijayendra said those in power should remember that authority was temporary, and urged the government to focus on resolving issues affecting unemployed youth.

BJP's Ground Assessment

Vijayendra said the BJP had constituted seven study teams to assess the ground situation across Karnataka. The teams are visiting different districts, interacting with farmers, and inspecting crop conditions to document the extent of the drought.

'The Central government will not shirk its responsibility. But if the state government neglects its duty, it will be doing an injustice to farmers,' he said. The BJP has indicated it will continue pressing the government for immediate relief measures as the drought conditions persist into the sowing season.