The Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formally demanded that the Congress-led state government declare a drought without delay, warning of an intensified political battle inside and outside the legislature if farmers continue to be denied relief. The demand was made on 29 July as BJP teams conducted a statewide drought study tour across affected districts.

Ashoka's Davangere Visit and Key Demands

Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, R. Ashoka, visited Davangere district as part of the tour and met farmers directly. 'Despite farmers in the state facing severe distress due to rainfall shortage, the Congress government has so far not declared a drought and is toying with the lives of farmers,' Ashoka said. He added that a comprehensive report on farmers' problems is being prepared and will be tabled when the legislature session opens on 13 August.

Ashoka laid out a specific relief package: compensation of ₹50,000 per acre for crop loss, ₹10,000 per tree for damaged coconut and arecanut, ₹50 crore for each assembly constituency, and a ban on fodder exports from Karnataka to other states.

Rainfall Deficit and Crop Damage

The rainfall shortfall across Karnataka is significant, according to figures cited by Ashoka. The Malnad region has recorded a 44% deficit, the coastal region 35%, the northern interior 33%, and the southern interior 31%. In Davangere and Chitradurga districts, only 19% of sowing has taken place, leaving 81% of farmland unsown. Crops including sunflower have reportedly been completely destroyed, and arecanut plants have dried up.

Ashoka criticised the state government for announcing only ₹16 as compensation per arecanut plant — a crop that takes five years to mature — calling it 'an insult to farmers.'

Farmer Suicides and the Relief Bottleneck

The BJP cited deeply troubling figures on farmer distress. According to Ashoka, 31 farmers have died by suicide in Karnataka in the past two months. In the three years since the Congress government came to power, the toll stands at approximately 2,800 farmer suicides, with 787 cases registered in 2025–26 alone.

Ashoka argued that without a formal drought declaration, neither central government relief under SDRF norms nor crop insurance payouts are legally triggered. 'It is not right for the government to shirk its responsibility and blame the central government,' he said, urging the state to first release relief from its own resources before seeking Union assistance.

BJP Targets CM Shivakumar and Congress Governance

Ashoka also trained his sights on Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, alleging that even two months after Shivakumar assumed office, no meaningful steps had been taken for farmers. 'Those who should be touring the state and listening to farmers' problems are instead spending time in Delhi,' he said.

He further alleged that the government's reluctance to declare a drought stems from a depleted state treasury, citing pending dues under flagship schemes including Gruha Lakshmi, old-age pensions, widow pensions, and milk subsidies — all of which, he claimed, have left the exchequer unable to commit to additional relief. Ashoka demanded the government release a white paper on Karnataka's fiscal position.

What Happens Next

The BJP has signalled it will raise drought declaration, farmer relief, and Cauvery water sharing as primary issues in the legislature session beginning 13 August. If the government does not act, Ashoka warned of 'a fierce struggle both inside and outside the Assembly.' The party's comprehensive drought report is expected to be submitted ahead of the session, potentially sharpening political pressure on the Shivakumar administration.