Karnataka Drought Intensifies: BJP Slams Congress Over 'Ignoring' Farmers' Distress

Karnataka's political landscape is heating up amidst a severe drought, with Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accusing the ruling Congress government of neglecting farmers' plight and providing 'insulting' relief. Ashoka alleges that crop losses have affected over 50% of the agricultural area and claims 'thousands' of farmer suicides, pushing for a significantly higher compensation of Rs 25,000 per acre, far above the state's announced Rs 2,500 one-time input subsidy. The state is battling a critical situation, with 217 out of 240 taluks officially declared drought-affected, resulting in estimated crop losses soaring to over Rs 46,000 crore for the Kharif season. While Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar government has formally requested Rs 7,142.64 crore in Central aid and implemented some relief measures like loan moratoriums, Ashoka's BJP is pressing the Centre's visiting Inter-Ministerial Drought Assessment Team for a robust recommendation, arguing that the state's financial management is failing its farmers. The significant discrepancy in reported farmer suicide numbers also adds a grim layer to the political sparring, with official data from mid-2025 indicating a decline, contrasting sharply with the LoP's current claims. As the Central team concludes its ground assessment, all eyes will be on its report and the Union government's subsequent relief package. The political pressure from the BJP is likely to intensify, potentially forcing the Congress government to re-evaluate its immediate response and financial commitments to the agrarian crisis. Farmers, meanwhile, continue to face severe hardship, awaiting substantial and timely support that transcends political rhetoric. The coming weeks will test both state and central resolve to mitigate this deepening rural distress.