BJP's R. Ashoka slams Karnataka govt over drought, demands ₹10 crore per constituency
Synopsis
Karnataka BJP leader R. Ashoka has accused the Congress government of running a 'dead government' as drought grips the state — alleging ministers are in Delhi for factional battles while people and cattle go without drinking water. His demand: ₹10 crore per constituency, immediate goshalas, and a government that shows up.
Key Takeaways
BJP Leader of the Opposition R.
Ashoka held a press conference in Bengaluru on 28 April 2025 , attacking the Congress government over drought mismanagement.
Ashoka alleged no funds have been released for drinking water relief and demanded ₹10 crore per Vidhana Soudha constituency for borewells and tanker supply.
He pointed to Deputy CM D.K.
Shivakumar's absence from a Cabinet meeting as evidence of two factions within the Congress .
Ashoka warned that Karnataka could face salary cuts similar to Telangana and Himachal Pradesh if fiscal mismanagement continues.
He raised additional issues including the Mangaluru cooker blast verdict, a janeu removal incident at Krupanidhi College, and opposition to an Umar Khalid -linked event.
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Tuesday, 28 April launched a sharp attack on the Karnataka Congress government, accusing it of neglecting a worsening drought crisis while ministers remained preoccupied with a power struggle in Delhi. Speaking at a press conference in Bengaluru, Ashoka demanded that the government release ₹10 crore to every Vidhana Soudha constituency for drinking water arrangements and borewell rejuvenation.
Drought Crisis and Government Inaction
Ashoka said drought conditions have intensified across Karnataka, with severe water scarcity affecting both people and livestock. He alleged that not a single rupee has been released by the state government for drinking water relief so far, and that no orders have been issued to the Finance Department.
Point of View
Factional optics, identity politics, and law-and-order — designed to keep the Siddaramaiah government perpetually on the defensive. The drought angle has genuine public resonance, but bundling it with the Umar Khalid and janeu issues risks diluting the urgency of a real humanitarian concern. The more pointed charge — that no funds have actually reached constituencies despite public assurances — is the one the government needs to answer specifically, and quickly.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did BJP's R. Ashoka demand regarding Karnataka's drought?
R. Ashoka demanded that the Karnataka government release ₹10 crore to each Vidhana Soudha constituency for drinking water arrangements, borewell rejuvenation, and tanker water supply. He also called for the immediate establishment of goshalas and supply of fodder for cattle.
Why did Ashoka call the Karnataka government a 'dead government'?
Ashoka used the term to describe a government he alleged was absent during a crisis — with ministers travelling to Delhi for factional power struggles even as drought conditions intensified across Karnataka, leaving people and livestock without adequate drinking water.
What is the Congress factional dispute Ashoka referred to?
Ashoka pointed to Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's absence from a Cabinet meeting convened to decide on internal reservation as evidence of two factions within the Congress. He also noted that Congress MLAs were travelling to Delhi defying party leadership, which he said reflected poorly on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's authority.
What other issues did Ashoka raise at the press conference?
Beyond the drought, Ashoka raised concerns about the Mangaluru cooker blast verdict — demanding the government appeal for a harsher punishment — the alleged removal of a sacred thread (janeu) at Krupanidhi College, pothole scams in Bengaluru's infrastructure, and opposition to any government permission for programmes linked to jailed activist Umar Khalid.
What warning did Ashoka issue about Karnataka's finances?
Ashoka warned that Karnataka could face a situation similar to Telangana and Himachal Pradesh, where employee salaries were reportedly cut, if the current government's fiscal management continued on its present trajectory.
