Karnataka BJP attacks Siddaramaiah govt over water crisis and farmer neglect
Synopsis
Karnataka's BJP opposition has turned the state's worsening summer water and power crisis into a political flashpoint, alleging the Siddaramaiah government is more focused on internal power struggles than on 20% sugarcane crop losses in Belagavi and drinking water shortages across 76 villages in Gadag. With the health department simultaneously ordering heatstroke wards across all hospitals, the scale of the crisis is hard to dismiss.
Key Takeaways
Ashoka (BJP) on 29 April accused the Congress government of neglecting farmers amid Karnataka's severe heatwave.
Nearly 20 per cent of sugarcane crops in Chikkodi and Nippani , Belagavi district , have reportedly been damaged by extreme heat.
More than 76 villages in Gadag district are facing a severe drinking water crisis, according to Ashoka.
Farmers are unable to run pump sets due to irregular electricity despite water availability in Kabini , Krishna , and Malaprabha reservoirs.
The Karnataka health department has ordered dedicated HRI beds in all hospitals, operational until 31 July .
Ashoka demanded immediate crop loss compensation and emergency drinking water arrangements for affected villages.
R. Ashoka, senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, on Wednesday, 29 April launched a sharp attack on the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging complete neglect of farmers amid a severe heatwave and worsening water scarcity across the state. Ashoka demanded immediate crop loss compensation and emergency drinking water arrangements for villages in distress.
Crop Damage and Farmer Distress
According to Ashoka, nearly 20 per cent of sugarcane crops in parts of Chikkodi and Nippani in Belagavi district have already been damaged due to extreme summer heat. He alleged that sugarcane fields are drying up due to a combination of heat stress and erratic power supply, leaving farmers unable to operate pump sets despite water being available in reservoirs such as Kabini, Krishna, and Malaprabha.
Ashoka described the situation as a paradox — there is water but no electricity, and electricity but no water — calling it a direct result of administrative failure by the state government. He questioned what concrete measures the government had taken to address farmers' distress ahead of what is shaping up to be one of Karnataka's more severe summer seasons in recent years.
Drinking Water Crisis Across Districts
The Opposition leader stated that more than 76 villages in Gadag district are facing a severe drinking water crisis, with people and livestock struggling to meet basic water needs. He also alleged that the government may be indirectly supporting tanker water supply operators, a charge the state government has not publicly responded to.
This comes amid a broader pattern of summer water stress in northern Karnataka, where groundwater depletion and irregular canal releases have historically strained rural communities during April and May.
Political Charge Against the Congress Government
Ashoka accused the Congress government of being preoccupied with internal political disputes over power-sharing rather than addressing the agrarian crisis. "While farmers are struggling for survival, the Congress government is busy with internal political disputes over power," he alleged. He urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to shift focus from political survival to the plight of farmers, particularly in North Karnataka.
Notably, the BJP's offensive comes at a time when the Siddaramaiah-led government has been navigating internal tensions within the Congress over leadership, adding a political dimension to what is also a genuine administrative challenge.
Health Department Orders Heatstroke Preparedness
Separately, the Karnataka health department has directed all district and taluk hospitals to set up dedicated heatstroke management rooms to treat patients with Heat Related Illness (HRI). According to a circular issued last Friday, Community Health Centres are required to mark two beds, Taluk hospitals at least five dedicated beds, and district hospitals at least ten dedicated beds for HRI cases.
These rooms are to remain operational until 31 July and must be equipped with thermometers, fans, and ice cubes. Medical and paramedical staff are also to be trained in HRI management, underscoring the scale of heat-related public health risk the state currently faces.
What Happens Next
Ashoka warned that if the government fails to act swiftly, "the suffering of farmers will turn into strong public anger against this administration." With summer conditions expected to intensify through May, pressure on the Siddaramaiah government to announce a relief package for rain-fed and sugarcane farmers in Belagavi and Gadag districts is likely to mount in the coming weeks.
Point of View
A structural problem no government has solved. Ashoka's demand for crop loss compensation is legitimate, but the Opposition has offered no alternative blueprint for reservoir-to-farm water delivery. The health department's heatstroke directive, issued quietly last Friday, is actually the more consequential administrative act this week — and it has received almost no political attention.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water and farm crisis in Karnataka that BJP is highlighting?
BJP Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka has alleged that severe heatwave conditions have damaged nearly 20 per cent of sugarcane crops in Belagavi district and left over 76 villages in Gadag without adequate drinking water. He attributes this to administrative neglect by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government.
Which districts in Karnataka are most affected by the water crisis?
Gadag district, with over 76 villages facing drinking water shortages, and Belagavi district, particularly Chikkodi and Nippani where sugarcane crops have been damaged, are among the worst-affected areas according to BJP's R. Ashoka.
Why are farmers unable to use pump sets despite water in reservoirs?
According to R. Ashoka, irregular electricity supply is preventing farmers from operating pump sets even though reservoirs such as Kabini, Krishna, and Malaprabha have water available. He described this as a paradox of administrative failure by the state government.
What has the Karnataka health department done about the heatwave?
The Karnataka health department has directed all district and taluk hospitals to set up dedicated heatstroke management rooms with HRI beds, operational until 31 July. District hospitals must have at least 10 beds, taluk hospitals 5, and community health centres 2.
What has BJP demanded from the Siddaramaiah government?
BJP's R. Ashoka has demanded immediate announcement of crop loss compensation for affected farmers and proper drinking water supply arrangements for villages in Gadag and other affected districts.
