Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday, 19 October announced that he would lead an all-party delegation to New Delhi next week to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and submit a memorandum seeking drought relief for the state. Separately, the Karnataka government is planning to extend the Dasara illumination in Mysuru by 10 days following record footfall and traffic congestion during the festival.

All-Party Drought Relief Delegation

Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Shivakumar confirmed that Opposition leaders had also expressed willingness to join the delegation. 'Yes, we will meet the Prime Minister with an all-party delegation and submit a memorandum. The Opposition leaders have also said they will accompany us,' he said.

The Chief Minister noted that he had been waiting for an appropriate window, pointing out that drought conditions were not confined to Karnataka alone. 'Drought is not limited to Karnataka; it has affected several parts of the country. If the Prime Minister gives us time between the conclusion of Dasara and Kannada Rajyotsava, we will meet him and discuss the issue,' he said.

This comes amid growing pressure on the state government from farming communities hit by an uneven monsoon. The cross-party consensus on seeking central relief is notable — underscoring that the drought's severity has, at least temporarily, bridged the political divide between the ruling Indian National Congress (INC) and the Opposition.

Sugarcane Farmers' Agitation

Shivakumar also addressed the ongoing agitation by sugarcane farmers in Karnataka, saying he had already written to the Prime Minister and remained optimistic about a resolution. 'I have written to the Prime Minister regarding the sugarcane farmers' issue, and I am confident that it will yield results,' he said.

The Chief Minister took a measured tone when asked about Union Minister Pralhad Joshi's handling of the matter, saying he did not want to turn farmers' distress into a political flashpoint. 'I do not want to do politics over this issue. Why should anyone do politics with farmers?' he said. The remark was a veiled pushback against what he described as blame-shifting toward the Congress by the Union government.

Mysuru Dasara Illumination Extended

On the cultural front, Shivakumar said the government was preparing to formally announce a 10-day extension of the famous Mysuru Dasara illumination after the festival's conclusion, in response to large numbers of tourists who were unable to enjoy the light displays due to severe traffic congestion. An official announcement is expected shortly.

The Chief Minister highlighted that this year's Dasara saw new additions including an air show and Yuva Dasara, which drew performers from across the country. Celebrations were held across several regions — Tulu Nadu, Kalyana Karnataka, Kittur Karnataka, Kodagu, Tumakuru, Chamarajanagar, and Srirangapatna.

Kambala Tradition and Cultural Legacy

Shivakumar also elaborated on the Kambala buffalo race tradition, tracing it to the Vijayanagara era. He noted that maintaining Kambala buffaloes involves an outlay of ₹15 lakh to ₹20 lakh per animal, with owners caring for them as part of their families. Around 3,000 people were involved in organising the Kambala event, with lakhs witnessing it. 'Culture, art and literature are our wealth. We must encourage, preserve and promote them,' he said.

What to Watch Next

The delegation's meeting with the Prime Minister — likely between Dasara's conclusion and Kannada Rajyotsava on 1 November — will be a key test of whether the Centre extends drought relief to Karnataka ahead of the state's upcoming agricultural season. The official announcement on the Mysuru illumination extension is also awaited.