BJP demands ₹50,000/acre drought relief for North Karnataka farmers
Synopsis
With rainfall at just 12% of normal across Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Yadgir, over 30 lakh hectares of farmland lie unsown. Karnataka BJP chief B.Y. Vijayendra is demanding ₹50,000 per acre in immediate relief — and calling the Chief Minister's field visit a 'photo shoot.' The Congress government has yet to respond.
Key Takeaways
BJP Karnataka President B.Y.
Vijayendra demanded ₹50,000 per acre compensation for drought-hit farmers on 13 July .
Rainfall in Bidar , Kalaburagi , and Yadgir districts stands at roughly 12% of normal levels.
Sowing has been disrupted on more than 30 lakh hectares , with crops like tur, sunflower, and cotton largely unplanted.
Vijayendra dismissed CM D.K.
Shivakumar's Basavakalyan visit as a 'photo shoot' with no ground-level relief.
The Anubhava Mantapa project — sanctioned at an estimated ₹500 crore by the previous BJP government — has allegedly been stalled for three years under Congress.
The BJP's core committee is preparing a roadmap to escalate its agitation on the drought issue.
Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra on Monday, 13 July accused the state's Congress government of abandoning drought-hit farmers across North Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka, demanding immediate compensation of ₹50,000 per acre for all affected cultivators. Vijayendra made the demand at a press conference held at Bidar airport, calling the agrarian situation in the region 'alarming.'
Scale of the Crisis
According to Vijayendra, rainfall in Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Yadgir districts has been only around 12 per cent of normal levels — a deficit severe enough to halt sowing across more than 30 lakh hectares of agricultural land. Major kharif crops including tur (pigeon pea), sunflower, and cotton have gone largely unplanted, pushing farmers into mounting financial distress.
BJP's Attack on the Congress Government
Vijayendra sharply criticised Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's recent visit to Basavakalyan in North Karnataka, dismissing it as nothing more than a 'photo shoot' that delivered no tangible relief on the ground. He alleged that the Congress administration has consistently neglected the region's farmers and called on the state government to act without further delay.
He also accused the Congress government of stalling the Anubhava Mantapa project. Vijayendra said the previous BJP government under B.S. Yediyurappa had sanctioned funds of ₹100 crore and ₹200 crore in phased tranches, with the project carrying a total estimated outlay of approximately ₹500 crore. Despite repeated public demands over the past three years, he alleged, the Congress government has ignored the project entirely, and urged Chief Minister Shivakumar to release pending funds and prioritise its completion.
Internal Party Matters
Responding to questions about reported differences within the BJP's Bidar district unit, Vijayendra said a core committee meeting had been convened to discuss and resolve local issues amicably. He firmly rejected allegations of any 'understanding' between BJP legislators in Bidar and the ruling Congress, asserting that the party remained a committed opposition force focused on farmers' welfare.
What Comes Next
Vijayendra said the BJP's core committee would prepare a clear roadmap for district and state leaders to intensify the party's agitation over the drought crisis. This comes amid broader concerns about erratic monsoon distribution across Karnataka, with southern districts receiving excess rainfall even as the northern belt faces a severe deficit. The Congress government is yet to formally respond to the BJP's compensation demand.
Point of View
And drought is a potent one. But the underlying numbers are serious: 12% rainfall and 30 lakh hectares of unsown land are not talking points, they are a humanitarian signal. The Congress government's silence on a concrete compensation figure is conspicuous. Karnataka has a history of drought declarations that move slowly from notification to disbursement; if the state repeats that pattern here, the BJP's 'photo shoot' charge will gain traction well beyond party circles.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BJP demanding for drought-hit farmers in North Karnataka?
The BJP is demanding immediate compensation of ₹50,000 per acre for farmers in the drought-affected districts of Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Yadgir in North Karnataka. The demand was made by Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra at a press conference in Bidar on 13 July.
How severe is the drought in North Karnataka?
Rainfall in Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Yadgir districts has been approximately 12% of normal levels, according to Vijayendra. This has prevented sowing on more than 30 lakh hectares of agricultural land, with key crops like tur, sunflower, and cotton going largely unplanted.
What did the BJP say about CM Shivakumar's visit to the region?
Vijayendra described Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's recent visit to Basavakalyan as a 'photo shoot,' alleging it produced no meaningful relief for farmers on the ground. He called on the state government to move beyond optics and release immediate financial compensation.
What is the Anubhava Mantapa project and why is it in dispute?
The Anubhava Mantapa is a project sanctioned by the previous BJP government under B.S. Yediyurappa, with funds of ₹100 crore and ₹200 crore allocated in phases and a total estimated outlay of around ₹500 crore. Vijayendra alleged the Congress government has ignored the project for three years despite repeated public demands, and urged the Chief Minister to release pending funds immediately.
Has the Congress government responded to the BJP's drought relief demand?
As of the time of reporting, the Congress government had not formally responded to the BJP's demand for ₹50,000 per acre compensation. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had visited Basavakalyan in North Karnataka, a trip the BJP dismissed as lacking substantive relief measures.
