Karnataka faces drought crisis as political blame game intensifies

Ravikumar pointed to severe conditions in regions including Kalaburagi, Belagavi, and Gadag, where rural residents and livestock are fighting for basic water access. He alleged that the current administration has failed to distribute any financial compensation to farmers forced to replant crops repeatedly due to the dry spell. Drawing comparisons to the previous BJP tenure under B S Yediyurappa, he demanded that the government adopt similar relief measures immediately. Beyond the drought, the MLC leveled accusations of systemic corruption against the Congress government, specifically citing irregularities in recruitment exams, and called for the resignation of Minister Priyank Kharge.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar dismissed the allegations, labeling the opposition's stance as opportunistic politics amid the ongoing Cauvery water dispute. Shivakumar, who scheduled visits to Vijayanagara and Bagalkot to survey the damage, argued that the government is actively managing the crisis. He stated that a special legislative session was convened specifically to address concerns raised by MLAs from across the political spectrum, accusing the BJP and JD(S) of obstructing genuine debate on the farmers' plight.